Saul was uncertain about the specifics of the plan or what kind of person he needed to find. He knew one thing for sure: if anything went wrong, Sean wouldn't go easy on him.
Justifying his decision to act, Saul abruptly sat up in bed, closed all the curtains, and turned on the TV and VCR, keeping the volume to a minimum.
Half an hour later, he slapped himself in frustration. "I shouldn't have watched that!" he muttered. "Damn Falk, this is getting serious! Someone's going to die—and not just one person."
Soon, a message arrived through a secret channel: Newark had a big job that required six skilled players who weren't afraid to fight. The payment was unlimited.
For days, Saul had noticed a high demand for goldfish at the pet hospital. It seemed that anyone visiting must carry a pet, not just for their own medical needs. Goldfish were cheap, but they had to look good—intact scales, symmetrical bodies, beautiful swimming posture, and vibrant colors. As he commented on the goldfish in a bag, Saul couldn't help but think, "Forget the goldfish; I'm not here for this."
Suddenly, a burly man with a beard slammed the bag of goldfish onto the table. "Hey, don't treat animals roughly in here!" Saul snapped coldly.
The man frowned, "Alright, just tell me what work you have and how much it pays."
"The specifics won't be disclosed until I've verified your credentials," Saul replied. "You need to outline your past achievements. If you don't meet the criteria, you won't even get to know the details. That's the rule."
Finding suitable work was increasingly difficult—even criminals had to interview, and a strong resume mattered. They needed skills: proficiency with firearms, camouflage, driving specialized vehicles, handling electronics, and safe-cracking. Being a gangster was no longer just about violence; it was about professional expertise.
In a country where gunfire was commonplace, knowing how to shoot was merely a survival skill. This job specifically required someone to drive a large vehicle.
After recording the man's information with coded symbols, Saul sent him away and waited for updates. If selected, he would be notified in three days.
Over the next few days, Saul interviewed numerous hardened criminals—men who, if taken off the streets, would significantly improve local law enforcement. He eventually selected a group.
Three days later, in a warehouse, Saul scanned the crowd and noticed a stranger he didn't recognize. However, he pretended not to notice and cleared his throat. "The client's plan requires six people. I've called ten in case some of you decide against the task…"
"Get to the point, Saul. What's the job?" someone interrupted impatiently.
"You're quite rude," Saul muttered. "Listen closely: the task is to rob a bank. There's no commission; your earnings will come from the heist itself."
"Rob a bank? No commission?" Panic rippled through the group. "If it were that easy, why would we even be here?"
"Rules are rules. Those willing to stay can learn the details; if you're not interested, you can leave," Saul insisted.
After a moment of hesitation, one man stood up. "I'm not working hard only to find a few thousand dollars waiting for me. Goodbye."
Others followed suit, leading to three departures in total. Saul surveyed the remaining seven and pulled out a videotape. "Keep this safe; all the details are on this tape. Everyone here understands the rules; if you want to leave, that's your choice."
Seeing no objections from the seven, Saul said, "Watch the video. It explains everything. I'm out of here."
As he exited the warehouse, he gestured in the air, unaware of Sean's men lying in ambush. He didn't care if they saw him; he simply got into his car and drove away.
Inside, the remaining seven exchanged glances, each unwilling to break the silence.
"Alright, since there are no objections, I'll introduce myself first. Call me 'Big Sparrow.'" He revealed a bird tattoo on his arm.
After everyone introduced themselves, Big Sparrow suggested, "If there are no issues, let's see what our employer has planned."
They turned on the TV and video recorder that Saul had provided, inserting the tape. The video opened with footage of a large bank, clearly a regional headquarters.
"Is this the target?" someone asked, almost instinctively.
As the camera panned, mechanical sounds filled the air. The next few minutes detailed the roads surrounding the bank, peak traffic times, and the location of the Newark Police Station. It precisely calculated the response time from the alarm to police arrival.
The professionalism of the operation was evident, and the seven couldn't help but admire the thoroughness of the intelligence behind the plan.
The video continued, continuing with an in-depth analysis of the bank's internal security measures and personnel. It highlighted the major challenges in accessing the vault. According to the footage, each morning at 9:00 AM, only authorized personnel could unlock the vault for a thirty-minute window to deliver cash to various branches. Outside of this time, even threats would be useless if the vault couldn't be opened without the right personnel present.
"Unless we blow it up, we can't get in," someone murmured, realizing the gravity of the situation. "And during this timeframe, the on-site security will be at its highest."
As the video progressed, it meticulously outlined the robbery process, addressing potential unexpected scenarios and strategies for handling them. The level of detail was staggering; they covered everything from escape routes to contingencies in case of police interference.
When the tape ended, the seven men sat in silence, absorbing the information. Big Sparrow turned to the group, his expression serious. "This isn't just a simple job. We need to be prepared for anything. If we're going to do this, we need to be professionals."
One man nodded. "So, what's the plan? Are we going to sit here and brainstorm, or do we need to scout the location?"
"Both," Big Sparrow replied decisively. "We need to familiarize ourselves with the layout, get the timings down, and understand the security protocols. The more we know, the better our chances."
"Agreed," another member added. "We should also practice our roles. Everyone needs to know what to do when the moment comes."
As they discussed strategies, it became clear that while this job would involve risk, the potential rewards were enticing enough to hold their attention. They all understood that success relied on their teamwork and preparation.
"We'll split up," Big Sparrow instructed. "Some of us will focus on surveillance, while others can gather more intel on the bank's operations. We'll reconvene in two days to share findings."
With a plan in place, the group dispersed, each man feeling the weight of the task ahead. They knew the stakes were high, and failure was not an option. As they left the warehouse, determination set in—this was no longer just a job; it was a test of their skills and resolve.
The challenge loomed ahead, and they were ready to face it together.