When desperation meets opportunity, the perfect crime becomes a media circus with unexpected consequences.
Watch the original version of Dog Day Afternoon
Prologue
The waves of discontent had been building on the Brooklyn streets in the late summer of 1972. The city was a cauldron of disillusionment and unrest, with talk of protests, riots and revolution in the air. But for one man, the root of his misery was something more personal: a deep, unshakeable need to help someone he loved.
John Wojtowicz was a 27-year-old Vietnam vet with a troubled past and a string of failed relationships behind him. When he met 18-year-old Ernest Aron, he felt something he had never felt before: a connection so intense, so all-consuming that he knew he would do anything to make her happy. And when she revealed her deepest desire – to undergo a sex change operation and become a woman – John knew what he had to do.
The plan was simple: rob a bank to raise the money for the surgery. And on August 22nd, 1972, John, along with his accomplice Salvatore Naturale, attempted to do just that. It was a decision that would change their lives – and the city – forever.
Chapter 1 – The Plan
It was a hot, sticky afternoon in Brooklyn, and the streets were almost empty. John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturale walked nervously towards the Chase Manhattan Bank branch on the corner of Avenue P and East 3rd Street. They had cased the place for weeks, and they knew that at this time of day, the bank would be relatively quiet. But as they approached the entrance, John felt his heart racing in his chest.
“Are you sure we should be doing this, Sal?” John whispered, his voice barely audible above the sound of his own breathing.
“Relax, John, we got this,” Sal replied, trying to sound confident. “We go in, we get the money, we get out. Piece of cake.”
John nodded, trying to steady his nerves. He had been in Vietnam, he had seen some crazy shit, but this was different. This was real life, and he was risking everything for someone he loved. Ernest was waiting for him at home, oblivious to the danger he was in. John couldn’t let her down.
They walked into the bank, their faces obscured by ski masks. John raised his shotgun and pointed it at the tellers, while Sal approached the manager’s office.
“Nobody move!” John yelled. “This is a robbery!”
The tellers froze, their eyes wide with fear. John could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. This was it, the moment he had been waiting for. He was doing it for Ernest, for their future together.
Sal emerged from the manager’s office with a bag of cash, and the two men made their way towards the door. But as they reached the exit, a blaring alarm sounded, and they knew they were trapped.
“Shit, the alarm!” Sal muttered. “We gotta get outta here, John, now!”
But it was too late. The police were already swarming outside, their guns drawn. The two men had no choice but to take hostages and hold out until they could find a way to escape.
For John, it was a moment of reckoning. He had wanted to do something noble, something selfless for the woman he loved, but now he was a criminal, a kidnapper. The weight of his actions was crushing him, but he couldn’t turn back now. Not when so much was at stake.
As Sonny demanded a plane to fly him and his hostages to Algeria, the police refused, igniting the standoff that would last for hours. Negotiations began, and Sonny requested a pizza for his hostages. The media descended on the scene like vultures, drawn by the spectacle of a man holding a bank hostage with bizarre demands. The story quickly became national news, with Sonny’s motivations for his crime slowly becoming known to the public.
As the negotiations dragged on, the tension inside the bank grew. Sonny was erratic, moving between friendly conversation with his hostages and angry outbursts against the police. The hostages themselves were a diverse group, with different backgrounds and personalities. Some were stoic, trying to keep calm in the face of danger. Others were panicked, struggling to come to terms with the reality of their situation. As time went on, they began to bond with each other, forming unlikely connections in the face of adversity.
Outside, the police and FBI were working tirelessly to resolve the situation. They tried to get inside the bank, but the hostage-takers had effectively barricaded themselves in. They attempted communication, setting up a phone line between themselves and Sonny. But the man was difficult to deal with, changing his demands at a whim and often refusing to speak. They knew they had to handle the situation delicately, as any wrong move could result in bloodshed.
As the sun began to set, the tension inside the bank reached its peak. Sonny was growing anxious, his nerves frayed by the long hours of the standoff. He alternated between pleading with the police to meet his demands and threatening to kill his hostages. The hostages themselves were growing increasingly desperate, stuck in a small space with no end in sight. They tried to stay calm and collected, but it was becoming more and more difficult.
Meanwhile, the media continued to swarm outside the bank. Reporters set up cameras and microphones, desperate for any updates on the situation. They interviewed experts on hostage negotiation and speculated on what might happen next. They drew in crowds of onlookers, many of whom stayed for hours to watch the drama unfold.
As midnight approached, the situation seemed to be at a stalemate. The police and FBI were running out of options, and Sonny was becoming more erratic by the minute. The hostages were growing weak and tired, but they tried to hold on to hope, praying that they would make it out alive. It was a tense, uncertain moment, with everything hinging on a few key decisions.
Chapter 3 – The Media Arrives
The sound of camera shutters fills the air as news crews descend on the scene. Police barricades are set up, and reporters jostle for position. The stand-off has turned into a media circus, and Sonny is now at the center of it all.
As the hours drag on, Sonny’s story becomes national news. The media begins to dig into his past, uncovering his criminal history and personal life. They learn about his lover, Leon, and their plans for a sex change operation. They paint Sonny as a desperate man driven to rob the bank to pay for the operation. Sonny becomes a cause celebre for the LGBTQ+ community, with activists pleading for his release.
Meanwhile, Sonny’s motives for the robbery are slowly revealed. He tells the police that he needs the money to pay for Leon’s operation, but it becomes clear that there is more to the story. He speaks of political revolution and fighting against the system. He claims to be a soldier fighting for a cause.
The tension in the bank escalates, with Sonny becoming increasingly agitated. He becomes fixated on the media attention, demanding to speak to reporters and making grandiose statements. The police try to calm him down and negotiate for the release of the hostages, but Sonny is erratic and unpredictable.
As night falls, the situation becomes more complicated. The police bring in a telephone so Sonny can speak to Leon, but the conversation only serves to upset Sonny even more. He becomes emotional and erratic, threatening to kill the hostages if his demands are not met.
The media continues to broadcast the events unfolding, with rolling news coverage and constant updates. People across the country tune in, glued to their screens, as the stand-off becomes the biggest news story of the year. The pressure on the police to resolve the situation safely intensifies, with the world watching and waiting for a resolution.
As dawn breaks, the situation remains at a standstill. The police are now in a race against time, with the hostages’ lives hanging in the balance. Sonny is running out of options, and the tension in the bank is palpable. The fate of the hostages, Sonny, and the police hangs in the balance as the stand-off enters its third day.
Chapter 4 – The FBI Gets Involved
The situation at the bank had escalated beyond the capabilities of the local police department. The FBI took over negotiations, and the hostages were now more hopeful for a peaceful resolution. The FBI tried to establish a rapport with Sonny, but he was growing increasingly agitated and desperate.
Meanwhile, Sal’s family had heard about the situation and rushed to the scene. They pleaded with the police to let them speak to Sal, but their requests were denied. The family was devastated, and their emotions ran high. They tried to appeal to Sonny’s sense of humanity, hoping that he would release their loved one.
Sonny wasn’t interested in releasing Sal. He felt betrayed by the police and the media, who he believed were painting him as a villain. He had hoped to use the situation to gain sympathy for his cause and highlight the injustices that the LGBTQ community faced. However, it seemed that his message was being lost in the chaos.
The FBI brought in a psychiatrist to talk to Sonny, hoping to get inside his head and understand his motivations. They learned that he was a Vietnam War veteran who suffered from PTSD. He had struggled with his identity for most of his life and had found solace in the gay community. However, he felt that the world outside that community was hostile to him and his beliefs, and he was willing to do whatever it took to make a statement.
The negotiations stagnated for hours, and the tension in the bank was palpable. The hostages tried to remain calm, but the fear was always there, lurking just beneath the surface. The slightest movement or sound would send them into a panic. They tried to support each other, but the situation was taking its toll on them.
Outside, the media was still camped out, waiting for any updates. They were hungry for a story, and the longer the stand-off went on, the more sensational it became. They reported on every detail, no matter how small, and speculated on Sonny’s motives. The public was fascinated by the drama, and the situation became a spectacle.
The FBI continued to negotiate with Sonny, but he was unyielding. He made demands that the FBI couldn’t meet and refused to let anyone leave the bank. He was becoming increasingly erratic, and the FBI feared that he would harm himself or the hostages.
As the night wore on, the FBI considered their options. They knew that they couldn’t let the situation continue indefinitely, but they didn’t want to use force unless it was absolutely necessary. They hoped that they could wear Sonny down and convince him to surrender peacefully.
The situation was at a stalemate when a ray of hope appeared. A friend of Sonny’s reached out to the FBI and offered to help negotiate a peaceful resolution. The friend was a member of the LGBTQ community and understood Sonny’s motivations. The FBI agreed, and the friend was brought in to speak with Sonny.
At first, Sonny was hesitant to trust his friend. He felt that everyone had betrayed him and that his message was being lost. However, the friend was persistent and patient. He listened to Sonny’s concerns and tried to find common ground. He reminded Sonny that his actions were not just affecting himself but also the lives of the hostages and their families.
In the end, the friend’s words had an effect. Sonny began to soften, and negotiations resumed. The friend acted as a mediator, and progress was made. The FBI agreed to some of Sonny’s demands, and he agreed to release some of the hostages.
The situation still wasn’t resolved, but the tension had eased. The FBI hoped that they could continue to negotiate and eventually resolve the situation peacefully. The hostages were grateful for the friend’s intervention, and they felt hopeful for the first time in hours. The situation was far from over, but for the moment, there was a glimmer of hope.
Chapter 5 – The Escape Attempt
Sonny had been negotiating with the police for hours, but he was getting impatient. He had promised his hostages that he would get them out safely, but it seemed like the authorities were only interested in dragging out the situation. Finally, Sonny couldn’t take it anymore. He decided to make a break for it.
He ordered his hostages to dress in women’s clothing and put on wigs. He planned to use them as a shield to get past the police barricade. He put on a wig himself and helped one of his hostages, a bank teller named Shirley, do the same.
“Okay, everyone, act natural. We’re just a group of ladies out for a walk,” Sonny said.
He led them towards the door, hoping that the police wouldn’t recognize them. But as they got closer, they saw that the police had set up a line of sharpshooters aimed at the door.
“Damn it,” Sonny muttered under his breath.
He knew that the situation had just gotten a lot more dangerous. He had told his hostages that he would get them out safely, but now he realized that he might not be able to keep that promise.
He looked at Shirley, who was trembling with fear. “Don’t worry, we’re going to make it out of here,” he whispered.
He took her hand and led her towards the door. The other hostages followed behind, bracing themselves for whatever might happen next.
As they approached the door, Sonny could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He knew that he was taking a huge risk, but he felt like he had no other choice. He had to try to get out of there.
He pushed open the door and the sharpshooters immediately trained their guns on him. He raised his hands in surrender, hoping that they wouldn’t shoot.
“Stay back!” one of the officers shouted.
Sonny took a step forward, using Shirley as a shield. “It’s okay, it’s just me. We’re all coming out peacefully.”
But as he stepped out, he heard a gunshot. He felt a searing pain in his leg and fell to the ground. He looked up and saw that one of the sharpshooters had hit him.
“Sonny!” Shirley screamed.
The other hostages started to panic and run back inside. Sonny reached out to them, trying to calm them down.
“It’s okay, go on without me. Get out of here,” he said.
But they hesitated, unsure of what to do. Sonny realized that he was still holding them back. He had to give them a chance to escape.
“Get out of here, now!” he shouted.
Finally, they started to run towards the police. Sonny watched them go, hoping that they would make it out alive. He knew that he might not be so lucky.
He looked around and saw that the police were closing in on him. He tried to stand, but his injured leg wouldn’t support him. He knew that he was trapped.
He looked up and saw a familiar face. It was his lover, Leon, who had come to see him.
“Leon, what are you doing here?” Sonny asked.
“I heard what happened and I had to come see you,” Leon said.
Sonny smiled weakly. “I’m glad you’re here. But you need to leave, now. It’s not safe.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone,” Leon said.
Sonny knew that there was no arguing with him. He grabbed Leon’s hand and pulled him close.
“I love you, Leon. I always have,” Sonny said.
“I love you too, Sonny. I always will,” Leon said.
They kissed, knowing that it might be their last. Then they heard the police shouting at them to surrender.
“It’s over, Sonny. Come out with your hands up,” one of the officers said.
Sonny looked at Leon, then back at the officers. He knew that he had no choice. It was time to say goodbye.
“Okay, I’m coming out,” Sonny said.
He stood up, using Leon as support. He took one last look around, then walked towards the police. He knew that his fate was now in their hands.
Chapter 6- A Tragic Turn
The sun was beginning to set on the sixth day of the hostage situation, and Sal’s family had arrived on the scene. They had been waiting anxiously for news of his safety, but the tension was palpable when they saw the police surrounding the bank. Sonny and Sal had been friends since childhood, and Sal’s sister began to weep when she heard that he was inside.
Meanwhile, Sonny was becoming more agitated by the minute. He had lost his friend and was now truly alone. He paced the bank’s vestibule, his eyes darting around, looking for a way out. The police had surrounded the bank and were inching closer, their guns drawn. The FBI had taken over negotiations, but Sonny felt that they weren’t truly listening to him.
“Listen to me, goddammit!” Sonny shouted into the phone. “You killed my friend, and now you’re trying to kill me too!”
“We’re not trying to kill you, Sonny,” the negotiator replied calmly. “We just want to end this peacefully.”
But Sonny was beyond reason. He had been pushed to his limit, and he was desperate for a way out. He began to make demands that he knew the police would never agree to. He wanted a helicopter to take him and his remaining hostages to the airport, where he would fly to Cuba and live out the rest of his days in peace.
The negotiator tried to reason with him, but Sonny wouldn’t listen. He began to scream and curse, and the hostages huddled together in fear. They knew that Sonny was becoming unhinged, and they didn’t know what he would do next.
As the police prepared to storm the bank, Sonny made a run for it. He burst through the doors, firing wildly, his eyes wild with rage. The police fired back, and chaos ensued. Shots rang out, and the hostages screamed.
Sal’s family watched in horror as the police dragged his lifeless body out of the bank. He had been shot in the crossfire, and there was nothing anyone could do to save him. His sister fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably, and the rest of his family huddled together in shock.
Inside the bank, Sonny was holed up in a corner, his gun aimed at the door. He was bleeding from a gunshot wound to his shoulder, and he knew that his time was running out. He had lost his friend and had nothing left to live for.
As the police closed in, Sonny made a final, desperate decision. He called out to the negotiator and told him that he was ready to surrender. But instead of laying down his weapons, he demanded that he be released into the custody of the FBI.
The negotiator tried to reason with him, but Sonny wouldn’t back down. He knew that he would be killed if he surrendered to the police, and he couldn’t bear the thought of dying in a hail of gunfire.
In a final act of desperation, Sonny began to scream and shout. He threw down his weapons and began to run toward the door, his hands in the air.
The police opened fire, and Sonny fell to the ground, his body riddled with bullets. The hostages were released, and the media descended on the scene. The six-day-long standoff had come to a tragic end, and the city was left reeling from the events that had unfolded.
For Sonny and Sal’s families, the tragedy was just beginning. They were left to pick up the pieces and try to make sense of what had happened. They would never forget the events of those six days, and the memory of their loved ones would haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Chapter 7 – The Endgame
Sonny stands alone in the bank, holding a gun to his head. The police outside plead with him to surrender, but Sonny is beyond reason. His mind races as he tries to think of a way out of his predicament. He knows that he has nowhere left to run, and that the end is near.
The sound of police sirens fills the air, and Sonny can feel the weight of the world bearing down on him. He pictures his family, his friends, and his lover, all waiting for him to come home. But he knows that he will never see them again.
Suddenly, Sonny hears a voice in his head. It’s the voice of his lover, urging him to keep fighting. “You can do this,” the voice says. “You are stronger than you think.”
Sonny’s grip on the gun tightens as he takes a deep breath. He knows what he has to do. He slowly lowers the gun from his head and points it at the ceiling. The police outside hear the gunshot and rush in, guns drawn.
But Sonny is not aiming at them. He fires a few more shots at the ceiling, then turns the gun on himself. The police scream for him to stop, but it’s too late. Sonny pulls the trigger, and everything goes black.
When Sonny opens his eyes, he finds himself in a strange room. He looks around, but there’s nobody there. He tries to stand up, but his body won’t move. He realizes that he’s paralyzed from the waist down.
A nurse enters the room, and Sonny asks her where he is. She tells him that he’s in a hospital, and that he’s been in a coma for several weeks. Sonny tries to remember what happened, but his mind is foggy.
The nurse explains that he was shot during the stand-off, and that the bullet damaged his spinal cord. Sonny asks if anyone else was hurt, and the nurse tells him that no one else was injured. Sonny feels a wave of relief wash over him.
He spends the next few weeks in the hospital, recovering from his injuries. His family and friends visit him often, but his lover is conspicuously absent. Sonny senses that something is wrong, but he doesn’t know what.
One day, a lawyer visits him in the hospital. He tells Sonny that he’s been charged with robbery, kidnapping, and murder. Sonny is stunned. He had never intended to hurt anyone, and he certainly didn’t want anyone to die.
The lawyer tells him that the trial will be long and difficult, and that he needs to prepare himself. Sonny feels a sense of despair wash over him. He knows that he’ll never be able to live a normal life again.
Months pass as Sonny awaits trial. He spends his days reading, watching TV, and talking to his family and friends. But he can’t shake the feeling that he’s trapped in a nightmare that he can’t escape from.
Finally, the day of the trial arrives. Sonny is wheeled into the courtroom, surrounded by armed guards. The judge calls the hearing to order, and the prosecutor begins to lay out the evidence against him.
Sonny listens as witnesses testify about what happened during the stand-off. He hears them describe how he took hostages, how he demanded a plane to Algeria, and how he shot a woman during his escape attempt.
As the hearing drags on, Sonny feels a sense of desperation creeping up on him. He knows that the evidence is stacked against him, and that he’s unlikely to walk free. But he can’t help hoping that something miraculous will happen.
Finally, the prosecutor rests his case, and it’s Sonny’s turn to speak. He takes a deep breath and begins to tell his side of the story. He talks about his love for his partner, and how he was willing to do anything to make her dream of a sex change come true.
He admits that he made a mistake by robbing the bank, but he insists that he never intended to hurt anyone. He describes how the situation spiraled out of control, and how he lost control of his own actions.
The courtroom falls silent as Sonny finishes his testimony. The judge takes a few minutes to deliberate, then renders his verdict. He finds Sonny guilty of robbery and kidnapping, but not of murder. He sentences him to 20 years in prison.
Sonny is stunned. He had expected a much harsher sentence. As the guards wheel him out of the courtroom, he feels a sense of relief wash over him. He knows that he’ll never be able to make up for what he’s done, but at least he’ll have a chance to start over.
As he’s locked in his cell, Sonny thinks about everything that’s happened to him. He thinks about the mistakes he’s made, and about the people he’s hurt. But he also thinks about the voice of his lover, urging him to keep fighting. He knows that he’ll never give up, no matter how difficult the road may be.
And so, Sonny begins his long journey of redemption. He spends his days reading, writing, and talking to his fellow prisoners. He never forgets the lessons he’s learned, and he never stops hoping for a better tomorrow.
Some scenes from the movie Dog Day Afternoon written by A.I.
Scene 1
Logline: A transgender woman’s lover and his friend attempt to rob a bank with a flawed plan, leading to an intense hostage situation that becomes a national media circus.
Characters:
SONNY – A charismatic and cunning man who is in love with a transgender woman named Leon. He is the mastermind behind the bank robbery.
SAL – Sonny’s friend who helps him rob the bank but becomes increasingly nervous as things go wrong.
LEON – Sonny’s transgender lover who is waiting at home while the robbery takes place.
SERGEANT MORETTI – The NYPD officer in charge of negotiating with Sonny.
FADE IN:
INT. SONNY’S APARTMENT – DAY
SONNY, SAL, and LEON are all sitting around the table. Sonny is smoking a cigarette and pouring over maps and blueprints of a bank.
SONNY
(voiceover)
“Robbing this bank was going to be a piece of cake.”
SAL
(laughing nervously)
“Are you sure about this, Sonny?”
SONNY
(smirking)
“Don’t worry, Sal. I’ve got it all figured out.”
LEON
(interrupting)
“When are you going to tell me about the plan, Sonny?”
SONNY
(explaining)
“We’re going to go in there and take what’s rightfully ours. The money in that bank is for your operation, Leon.”
LEON
(smiling)
“I believe in you, Sonny.”
SAL
(whispering)
“What if something goes wrong?”
SONNY
(reassuringly)
“Nothing’s going to go wrong, Sal. We’ve got this.”
FADE OUT.
Scene 2
INT. BANK – DAY
SONNY, a charismatic but troubled man, and SAL, his loyal accomplice, are in the middle of robbing a bank in Brooklyn.
SONNY
(to the teller)
Nobody move! This is a robbery!
The alarm goes off, and the duo realizes they are trapped inside with hostages.
SAL
(to Sonny)
What do we do now?
SONNY
We negotiate.
INT. BANK LOBBY – DAY
SONNY speaks to the cops on the phone, with negotiators stationed nearby.
SONNY
(into the phone)
I want a plane to fly me and my hostages to Algeria. And I want a pizza for my hostages.
The negotiators whisper amongst themselves.
NEGOTIATOR 1
(to the others)
What the hell does he want with a pizza?
NEGOTIATOR 2
(skeptical)
He’s stalling.
INT. BANK – DAY
SONNY is growing impatient.
SONNY
(to Sal)
These cops aren’t taking me seriously.
SAL
(worried)
What are we gonna do?
SONNY
(smiling)
We’re gonna make them take us seriously.
INT. BANK LOBBY – DAY
The media has arrived and is swarming outside.
REPORTER 1
(to the camera)
We’re at the scene of what’s turning out to be the biggest hostage crisis in Brooklyn history.
INT. BANK – DAY
SONNY speaks to the negotiators again.
SONNY
(into the phone)
I want my story on the news.
NEGOTIATOR 1 (V.O.)
(on the phone)
What story?
SONNY
(into the phone)
My story. Why I’m doing this.
NEGOTIATOR 1 (V.O.)
(on the phone)
Okay. We’ll make it happen.
INT. NEWSROOM – DAY
The news anchors are prepping for the live broadcast.
ANCHOR 1
(to the camera)
We’ve just received a statement from the bank robber, Sonny Wortzik.
INT. BANK – DAY
SONNY smiles triumphantly as he watches his story being broadcast on the TV.
SONNY
(to Sal)
We’re famous.
SAL
(concerned)
What about the hostages?
SONNY
(laughing)
They’re fine. They’re having a pizza party.
The negotiators exchange a worried look. The situation is far from over.
Scene 3
FADE IN:
INT. BANK – DAY
Sonny and Sal hold hostages, including BANK TELLER and CUSTOMER, at gunpoint. Sonny paces, agitated.
SONNY
(to the hostages)
Stay calm, we’re not here to hurt anyone.
BANK TELLER
What do you want?
SONNY
(to the media on the phone)
I want a plane to Algeria, and a, uh, surface-to-air missile.
CUSTOMER
What are you, crazy?
SAL
(to the hostages)
Shut up!
Suddenly, the sound of camera flashes fills the room. Reporters swarm in, led by the brash reporter Angie.
ANGIE
(to her cameraman)
Get a shot of the gun!
SONNY
(to Angie)
What do you want?
ANGIE
A story, honey. And you’re it.
SONNY
(sarcastic)
Well, I hope you brought your popcorn.
Angie moves in for a closer shot, but Sonny loses his temper and grabs her camera.
SONNY (CONT’D)
(to Angie)
You want a story? I’ll give you a story.
Sonny starts to reveal his motives for the robbery, as the scene devolves into chaos.
FADE OUT.
Scene 4
FADE IN:
EXT. BANK – DAY
The police have set up a perimeter around the bank, and crowds of onlookers have gathered behind barricades. A news crew is broadcasting live from across the street.
CUT TO:
INT. BANK – DAY
Sonny and Sal are holding hostages in the bank’s main lobby. They are tense and nervous, but trying to maintain their composure.
SAL
(to Sonny)
What are we gonna do now?
SONNY
We just gotta wait. The cops are gonna come talk to us soon.
SAL
What if they don’t give us what we want?
SONNY
They will. We just gotta be patient.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE COMMAND CENTER – DAY
The police are monitoring the situation from a makeshift command center set up in a nearby storefront. Detective Moretti is in charge.
DETECTIVE MORETTI
(to his team)
We need to keep them talking. Find out what they want, and try to work out a deal.
CUT TO:
INT. BANK – DAY
The phone rings, and Sal picks it up.
SAL
(on phone)
Yeah?
(pause)
Okay, hold on.
Sal hands the phone to Sonny.
SONNY
(into phone)
This is Sonny.
INTERCUT WITH:
INT. POLICE COMMAND CENTER – DAY
DETECTIVE MORETTI
(on phone)
This is Detective Moretti. Can we talk?
BACK TO:
INT. BANK – DAY
SONNY
(into phone)
Yeah, we can talk.
DETECTIVE MORETTI (V.O.)
(on phone)
What do you want?
SONNY
(into phone)
I want a plane to Algeria. And a pizza for the hostages.
DETECTIVE MORETTI (V.O.)
(on phone)
We can’t give you a plane, Sonny. But we can talk about other options.
SONNY
(into phone)
Okay. Let’s talk.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE COMMAND CENTER – DAY
The police negotiators are huddled around a speakerphone.
DETECTIVE MORETTI
(into phone)
Sonny, we can’t give you a plane. But we can offer you a car and safe passage to the airport.
SONNY (V.O.)
(on phone)
No good. I need a plane.
DETECTIVE MORETTI
(into phone)
Then we’ll have to find another solution. Can we at least get the hostages some food and water?
SONNY (V.O.)
(on phone)
Yeah. A pizza for everybody.
CUT TO:
INT. BANK – DAY
Sonny hangs up the phone.
SONNY
(to Sal)
They’re gonna bring us a pizza.
Sal looks relieved.
SAL
That’s good. I’m starving.
FADE OUT.
Scene 5
FADE IN:
INT. BANK – DAY
Sonny and Sal are still holding the hostages. Tensions are high.
SONNY
(to the hostages)
We’re gonna get outta here. We just need to make a run for it.
HOSTAGE 1
(crying)
Please, just let us go!
SAL
(to Sonny)
We can’t just leave them behind.
SONNY
(glaring at Sal)
What do you suggest we do?
Suddenly, they hear a loud bang outside.
SAL
(whispering)
What was that?
SONNY
(to the hostages)
Everyone get down!
The door bursts open and a SWAT team storms in.
SONNY
(to Sal)
We have to make a run for it now!
They grab a handful of hostages and make a break for the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. BANK – DAY
Sonny and Sal burst out of the bank with their hostages in tow.
SONNY
(to the hostages)
Stay close to us!
As they run down the street, they hear gunshots. One of the hostages falls to the ground, injured.
SONNY
(to Sal)
We have to keep going!
They leave the injured hostage behind and continue running.
CUT TO:
INT. POLICE CAR – DAY
A POLICE OFFICER is driving with a wounded hostage in the backseat.
HOSTAGE 2
(weakly)
Why did they leave me behind?
POLICE OFFICER
(shaking his head)
I don’t know, kid. They’re not thinking clearly.
CUT TO:
EXT. BACK ALLEY – DAY
Sonny and Sal are hiding behind a dumpster, catching their breath.
SAL
(panting)
What are we gonna do now?
SONNY
(determined)
We’re gonna keep fighting.
Suddenly, they hear police sirens in the distance.
SONNY
(whispering)
We have to keep moving.
They sneak out of the alley and disappear into the city.
FADE OUT.
THE END.
