After an excruciating two and a half decades behind bars, Dwight Manfredi, the once-feared gang leader, now graying with time, finally savors the sweet taste of freedom. Scarred by a brutal shanking during his incarceration, he'd sought solace in poetry's embrace, letting the words wash over him as the days turned into years. Despite relentless pressure to betray his brethren, Dwight remained steadfast, his loyalty unwavering, harboring the hope that it would pave the way for his redemption among old comrades and friends.
To his utter surprise, instead of being ushered back to the familiar confines of the city, Dwight finds himself at a secluded house nestled in the tranquility of Long Island. As he enters the room, a chorus of greetings echoes, welcoming him back into the fold. But the reunion is tinged with bittersweetness as he beholds his brother Pete, now the patriarch of the family, confined to a wheelchair, and Vince, his son, poised to take the helm. Chickie and Glen, other pillars of the organization, round out the gathering, though the initial exchange is rocky, foreshadowing a more profound sense of abandonment that soon engulfs Dwight.
His loyalty untested yet unrewarded, Dwight is abruptly "dispatched" to Tulsa, Oklahoma, a distant landlocked city far from the bustle of New York. The hierarchy has shifted, and Dwight finds himself an outsider in this new order. Rage boils within him as he confronts Chickie, narrowly escaping a bullet's kiss before reluctantly embracing his destiny.
In Tulsa, Tyson, a grizzled cab driver with a penchant for the unconventional, picks him up from the airport. Their dialogue is a peculiar dance, as Dwight stumbles through the unfamiliar terrain of modernity, oblivious to smartphones and the intricacies of the internet, his hackles raised at the mere mention of being labeled a "gangster," a term now antiquated in his world.
Tyson's patience is frayed to the breaking point by Dwight's overtly affected demeanor, but fate intervenes when Dwight detects a prime opportunity amidst Tyson's unexpected detour to a marijuana dispensary. This untamed realm, untainted by gangland influence, becomes a shimmering beacon of possibility for Dwight, beckoning him to harness the might of his family's resources and forge his own domain. Without a moment's hesitation, he storms the fortress, swiftly incapacitating the guard Fred with a brutal blow, before confronting Bohdi (Martin Starr), the proprietor, a man who has amassed a vast fortune yet guards it like a novice, hidden away in a locker within the confines of his office walls.
Dwight's contempt for such a rudimentary approach to safeguarding wealth is palpable, igniting a tense confrontation that pits old-school cunning against the realities of a new era. The stage is set for a clash of ideologies, where tradition meets innovation in a battle for supremacy.
Dwight masterfully inscribes himself into a pact with Bohdi, pledging to shield his business endeavors from the encroachment of rival gangs, competitors, and even the watchful eye of the police. With an audacious fee of 20% of the profits, he promptly claims his due, displaying a ruthless efficiency. He then deftly orchestrates Tyson's transformation, instructing him to acquire a crisp button-down shirt and a sleek black Lincoln Navigator, setting the stage for their next endeavor. As Tyson chauffeurs Dwight to the sprawling Western Plains hotel, the latter savors the expanse and freshness of the surroundings, a subtle smile playing on his lips, content in the solitude of his newfound refuge.
Later, Dwight summons a taxi, embarking on a sojourn to the nearby Bred 2 Buck saloon, where he weaves captivating tales amidst the company of fellow cowboys, his charm and wit earning him the admiration of the proprietor, Mitch, albeit without a formal introduction. However, the following day, Tyson returns empty-handed, recounting a tale of racial prejudice from the car dealer, unwilling to part with the Navigator.
Dwight's patience snaps at the affront, and he storms into action, personally descending upon the dealership to deliver a stern lesson in the art of customer satisfaction. Emerging victorious, he claims the Navigator and, with Tyson by his side, they make their way to the store where Bohdi enlightens Dwight on Jimmy, the proprietor of the farm that nourishes their illicit weed enterprise, painting a vivid picture of their supply chain's intricate roots.
Bohdi casts a disapproving glance at the hotel where Dwight finds solace, urging him instead to grace the halls of The Mayo, the city's epitome of luxury and hospitality. On the second twilight of his stay, Mitch, a fellow exile from the iron bars, finally musters the courage to approach Dwight, recognizing a kindred spirit in the seasoned traveler. Having served an arduous eight years behind bars, Mitch now shares the reins of his saloon with his father, their bond forged by shared hardships.
Their heartfelt conversation is abruptly diverted by the curious inquiry of a young woman, wondering if Dwight is a celebrity among mortals. When Dwight politely declines a photo opportunity, another female presence steps forth, challenging yet alluring him. Amidst a flirtatious dance, Dwight chivalrously escorts the ladies to a strip club, even intervening to fend off a lecherous patron who crossed the line with one of the performers.
Stacy, the woman who initially confronted Dwight with fire in her eyes, finds herself captivated by his deeds. Her inebriated state prompts her to accompany him back to his hotel, but when Dwight innocently mentions his septuagenarian status, a stark realization strikes her. She realizes he is the same age as when President Kennedy's fateful day unfolded, and her intoxication swiftly evaporates, replaced by an urgency to flee. She hastily gathers her belongings, determined not to be linked to such a bygone era.
Dwight, a man seeking to reconstruct the shattered fragments of his life, faces not only the ghosts of his past with Marie and Tina but also a formidable foe within the city limits: the unyielding ATF squad, helmed by the formidable Armand Truisi. To Stacy's dismay, she too belongs to this elite force, squirming uncomfortably during their strategic meeting as they plot to keep Dwight under their watchful eye. The stage is set for a collision of past and present, where every move could unravel the fragile threads of Dwight's redemption.
