After a quick recap of the show's premise (which this week included the "That party was off the hook" clip that I love), Van and Deaq pull up to a strip club with some other dudes we do not yet know. One dude says that strip clubs are for suckers because it's "just a bunch of tricks shaking they [sic] ass just trying to take your cheddar." Yes, I've seen how those strippers practically have to force men to give them money. Van says that he steals and the strippers lie, but that they're all just trying to make a living. The dude thinks the strippers are the thieves. Van says that the dude has issues with women and might be better off at home, watching Oz. Wouldn't it have been funnier if he said Queer as Folk? The dude pulls a gun and asks if Van is calling him a homosexual. Van calmly says that he's calling the dude a jerk-off, and tells him to put the gun away. Another dude asks Deaq if he's ready, and Deaq tells him just to say the word. They all put on clear plastic masks that don't seem to do much to conceal anyone's identity, and step out of the car.
A rap song that samples "The Stroke" by Billy Squier plays as the crew walks across the street in slow motion. Inside, strippers do their thing. The boys enter. Van shoots the ceiling and orders everyone to get down. And he doesn't mean that means that they should shake their booties. At least, I don't think that's what he meant. The patrons scream and drop to the floor. Van walks over to one blonde stripper who is still standing, and orders her to the floor; she complies. Deaq asks the manager where the safe is. He claims that there isn't one. Deaq shoots out two mirrors, and the manager suddenly decides that there is, in fact, a safe in the back room. Some dude calls out either that they have sixty seconds left, or that they've been in there sixty seconds. Van walks around and collects the patrons' wallets. While walking through the dressing room -- which has all red lighting, for some reason -- Deaq orders the strippers in there to get down on the ground. The manager opens a door in the back and claims that he can't remember the combination. Deaq threatens to shoot off one of his fingers. The manager yells at Deaq to give him a second. Should you really be yelling at the guy with the gun? Deaq cocks his gun and says that the manager needs to open the safe. The manager notices a gun concealed below a shelf nearby. The group leader walks in and tells Deaq that they only have thirty-six seconds left. This jogs the manager's memory, and he says that the combination is thirty-six, twenty-four, thirty-six. He opens the safe, and Deaq grabs the cash and stuffs it in a bag. In the main room, Van grabs some more wallets. Deaq and the leader walk out of the back room with the bag full of money. The manager grabs the concealed gun and runs out of the room. Why be a hero? Don't they have insurance? Just let them go. The manager shoots at Deaq and Van, and misses. They turn and, at the same time, shoot the manager in the chest. For like two seconds, I was shocked, but then I figured it out. I'll let you think about it until the paragraph.
When we return, the dude from earlier tells Deaq that he didn't have to shoot anyone. Deaq counters that no one told the manager to play the hero. Van adds that they just did what they had to do. A shoving match ensues until Deaq says that they've showed what they can do, and asks if they're in or out. Van adds that there's no one better than him and Deaq. The leader calls Van and Deaq "real live monsters," and says that they have a meeting at the garage at 3 PM the day.
A cell phone rings. The strip club manager is now revealed to be wearing an LAPD bulletproof vest. Billie -- who was undercover as the blonde stripper that Van ordered to the ground at gunpoint -- answers her phone. It's Deaq, checking in. He asks about the undercover manager they shot. Billie says that he's fine, if a bit sore, and that "the sting went off without a hitch." Deaq says that he and Van are in with the gang.
One week earlier. A group of people plays beach volleyball, which just seems like an excuse to show girls in bikinis. Aquarius -- the guy who thinks the party is off the hook -- is the referee. Deaq appears from behind a tree and says hello, then tells Aquarius that he "looks like a damn zebra" in his referee shirt. Aquarius insists that the vertical stripes are slimming. Deaq says he got Aquarius's message. Aquarius says that a blast from Deaq's past tracked him down and wants to meet up with Deaqon. Aquarius advises Deaqon to make like Forrest Gump and run. Deaq asks what he's talking about, and Aquarius nods to his right. Deaqon follows his gaze and sees a pretty woman sitting on some bleachers nearby. She tosses her hair in slow motion. Aquarius laughs and says that Deaqon is probably seeing it all in slow motion. Do people really see things in slow motion? Because I don't. Maybe I'm missing out.
Deaqon approaches the woman, who is named Rosaria. At first, I was really confused by the woman's bi-level haircut, because I know this show is all worshipping the '80s, but that's a bit much. And then I realized that it's just a really bad weave. They exchange pleasantries. Rosaria admits that she's not doing well, and that she knows from talking to his sister that Deaqon is a cop. Deaq asks what kind of trouble she's in, and Rosaria says that it's marital. Deaq asks whom she married, and Rosaria replies that her husband is Alton White. Deaqon reacts as if he knows the guy. Rosaria explains that she met him right after he got out of prison for robbing a bank "or something stupid like that." Wouldn't you want to know exactly what the dude went to prison for before you married him? Assuming that you would marry a dude who's been in prison? Deaq says that Rosaria always liked the bad boys. Rosaria explains that Alton claimed he just wanted a regular life, but that he's still committing crimes, and that he has a big one planned right now. Deaq tells her just to leave him, and starts to walk away. Rosaria says that she's tried, but that he tracked her down and threatened to kill her if she left him again. Rosaria says she knows she can't expect Deaq to help her after what happened, but that she doesn't have anywhere else to go.
Cut to Billie, giving the boys the lowdown on Alton White. He is the most Benicio del Toro-looking motherfucker I've ever seen. They could be brothers. Billie explains that Alton was convicted twice of armed robbery. He runs with Eddie Jefferson -- who is L.A.'s finest car thief -- and Shadow, a "professional psycho." You can get paid for being a psycho? Why didn't my high school guidance counselor ever mention that career path? Van touches a cut on his forehead and claims that he tripped over the belt of his robe and hit his head on the coffee table. It's weird that they made such a big deal out of explaining that cut, and I kept expecting it to come up again later in the episode, and it didn't. Maybe Jennie Garth beats Peter Facinelli or something. Billie explains that there are two other guys rounding out the gang: the Franchese brothers, who were put into the Witness Protection Program for testifying against a mob family, but who've continued in their lives of crime. Van asks how they are supposed to get into the gang. Deaq says that his friend says that the gang is planning something big, and that it will happen soon. Van is surprised to learn that the friend is female, and teases Deaq about that for a minute. Deaq says that unlike some people, he has female friends. Van says that he has female friends, too. Deaq and Billie both ask for names. Deaq pauses and then says, "Your mama? Oh, yeah. Great." That really cracked me up for some reason. Van claims that Billie is his friend. Billie says that they're co-workers. Deaq gets back to the task at hand and says that he and Van can only get into the gang if there are empty slots. Billie says that she can get rid of the Franchese brothers.
Cut to the Franchese brothers eating dinner in a restaurant. Billie walks in and sits at their table. She flashes her badge and says that she just got off the phone with the guy they testified against. He wanted to send the brothers a Christmas card, so she gave him their address. Billie feigns shock when they are upset. One brother reminds her that they are in Witness Protection. Billie says she knows, but that she heard that Sammy the Bull was selling drugs while in Witness Protection, so she decided she wasn't a fan of the program anymore. A brother says that they'll be killed. Billie suggests that they get out of town, and leaves.
Deaq stands on the beach and watches Rosaria approach in slow motion. She says that she only has an hour because Alton thinks she's at the dentist. She pulls out a cigarette and claims that she's nervous. Deaq scolds her, and she says that she just started smoking that morning. He takes her Zippo. If she really just started smoking that morning, she would so not have a Zippo. She'd have a plastic Bic lighter that she bought at the same convenience store where she got the cigarettes. Unless she got them both from her husband, but a dude who keeps track of his wife like that probably also keeps track of his cigarettes. Wow, I just spent way too much time thinking about that. Rosaria and Deaq link pinkies. Rosaria is amazed that he still does that, and says she always loved it because it made her feel like all was right with the world. Deaq explains that he's in charge, and that they have to do things his way, so if she's scared, now is the time to back out. Rosaria assures him that she wants this. Deaq introduces Van, who just strolled up, as "mad cool." Van shakes Rosaria's hand.
Van, Deaq, and Rosaria sit at a picnic table. Deaq tells Rosaria that she has to memorize the information and know it like the back of her hand. Van quizzes her on their cover story. Deaq is supposed to be her cousin, the son of her Aunt Felicia, who died six years earlier. Van asks if Deaq is the oldest or youngest of Felicia's sons. Rosaria says oldest, and then youngest. Deaq yells at her for wavering; he says that his captain used to make him use flash cards, and that maybe they should make some. Rosaria and Van are against that idea, and Van says that they have to try it again.
Van and Deaq pull up to Alton and Rosaria's house. Van is wearing a bizarre leather fedora, but maybe it's his Run DMC tribute, so I'll let it slide. Van asks Deaqon about his tattoos. Deaqon says that he's supposed to be an ex-con, and ex-cons have tattoos. Deaqon asks Van about his hat, and Van has no excuse for it. Deaq rings the doorbell, and Rosaria answers and says that her husband isn't home. Deaq says that she's lying. Van says they want to meet "the myth, the man, the legend." Van says that Deaq claimed to be Alton's cousin, and Deaq says that he is. Van starts yelling Alton's name into the house. Alton shows up and asks what the yelling is about. Deaq says that they're related. Rosaria explains that they're cousins, and Alton invites them in. Van notices that Deaq and Rosaria are linking pinkies.
Out on the back patio, Rosaria serves the men drinks. Alton lights a cigarette. Deaq makes a comment about how he missed drinking beer when he was in Chino for eighteen months. Wow, that was a smooth segue. Not. Deaq says he heard when he got out that his baby cousin married Alton White, and that he had to come see for himself. Alton says that Deaq must know Two Tears. Deaq says that he heard Two Tears was doing twenty years in Lompoc, which is a long way from Chino. Alton says that Two Tears got transferred to Chino about six months ago, and he knows everyone, and everyone knows him. Deaq says that he knows the name, but that Two Tears wasn't in his gang. Van tells Deaq to ask him. Alton asks what they're talking about. Van says that they want to know if Alton has any jobs lined up, because they need work. Alton asks Van's story. Van says that he never got caught or went to prison, and that's the end of his story. Alton laughs and says that he doesn't "take on stray dogs unless [he] know[s] they can do some tricks." Deaq says that they have a strip club they've been waiting to hit. Cut to various clips from the opening scene of the show, so now we know what that was all about.
Right Now. Van and Deaqon arrive at a huge house. Deaq tries to bid Van farewell, but Van walks right in and checks the place out. Deaq says he'll only be there two weeks. Van accuses Deaq of having something going on with Billie to get such a nice house when Van lives in a hotel. Van walks off to check out the gourmet kitchen. Van says that he's going to "get [his] Chef Van-ardee on" and cook some spaghetti. Deaq claims that black people don't like spaghetti, and then says that he's tired, and that he wants to relax and get his mind right. Furthermore, he wants to "hit the silk, dream of Jeannie." Normally, I don't quote the stupid slang on this show unless it's particularly stupid, but this one comes up again later, so I needed to mention it. Deaq says that it's nothing personal, and Van leaves.
As soon as Van is out, Deaq starts preparing a meal, including two glasses of wine, so you know he's expecting a guest. Cut to later. Soft music plays as Deaq asks Rosaria if it's safe for her to be there. Rosaria assures him that Alton plays poker and won't be home until midnight. Rosaria says that she just came by to thank him for helping her. Deaq says that it's his job. Rosaria laughs that the last time she saw him, he was outrunning a cop car, and now he's behind the wheel of one. Rosaria checks out his house and says that cops must make a lot more than she thought. Deaq admits that it's not his house, but says that he's really happy with his life. Rosaria says that she should have left with him nine year earlier, but that she was scared to leave her friends and family behind. Deaq points out that she couldn't leave Darnell, either. Rosaria says that she did what she thought was right at the time. Deaq says that the best thing is probably for her to go home, and that they should leave the past in the past. He asks if that's what she wants, and she shakes her head. They kiss. Shortly, they are both half-naked. Who knew we would see Shirtless Bellamy before we saw Shirtless Facinelli this week? This is throwing my episode grading all off. Deaq rubs Rosaria's hand and touches her wedding ring, and this causes him to pull up short and stand up. Once they get dressed, Rosaria starts to talk about what they could do when this is all done. Deaq says that they should wait and talk about it then. He kisses her goodbye. After she walks off, someone holds a gun to Deaq's head and cocks the hammer. Now, this one, I figured out right away. I'm not saying that I'm that smart. I'm just saying that I've watched television before.
When we return from the break, Deaq takes down the guy with the gun to his head and...it's Van. Deaq asks what he's doing, and Van says that he knew Deaq was lying. Deaq denies it, and Van brings up the girl who happens to be a friend and the pinkie twisting, and also that Deaq rambles when he lies. Van imitates Deaq claiming that he's tired and he's going to "hit the silk and dream of Jeannie." Again, that will be important later. Van concludes that Deaq has two tells, and that one of them is rambling. Deaq owns up to lying, and Van says that he can't have a partner who lies to him. Deaq explains that he and Rosaria had "a love thing" when they were seventeen. She was dating a Crip named Darnell, but they broke up and Deaq and Rosaria got together. Deaq says that when his brother sent him to New York, Rosaria was supposed to go with him, but she went back to Darnell instead. Deaq insists that has nothing to do with this case. Van says that he's right, because the case is over, and that if Billie knew about it, she would agree. Deaq says that Van sounds stupid. Van says that he's never lied to Deaq, and that Deaq just jeopardized their lives "to play pinkie twist with [his] little girlfriend." Van adds that if he were Alton, Deaq would be dead. Deaq says that Van has made it all about himself, and it's not about him. Deaq says that where he comes from, you can only trust yourself, and if Van has a problem, he can do what he has to do. Van says that he has to trust his gut, and his is telling him to get out. Van walks off. I think those two are in love.
Prison. A guy with tattoos of two tears by his eye -- who I'm going to go ahead and assume is Two Tears -- tells Alton on the phone that he's never heard of a Deaqon Hayes, but that he'll try to see what he can find out. Alton is glad to hear it.
Deaqon shows up for the meeting in the garage. Alton asks why Van is late. Deaqon says that Van can't make it, and asks why they have an armored truck. Van shows up. Alton scolds him for being late. Deaqon and Van exchange a meaningful glass. Van asks what's going on. Alton shows them some blueprints and says that this building moves two million dollars from the safe to an armored truck every Friday. Van asks the name of the building. Alton says that they operate on a need-to-know basis so that no one blabs about the heist. Van says he's cool with it, and Deaq agrees. There's a needless split screen as Alton explains that the people in the building hand off the money to three guards, who take the money to an armored truck waiting outside. Alton has a guy with the armored-truck company to provide them with uniforms and credentials, and who will call and say that they're arriving ten minutes early. Alton says that they need three men on the inside, one in the truck, and one dressed as a civilian in a follow car. I don't understand why they need the civilian in a follow car. I guess it's for after they ditch the truck. Deaq asks about the guy on the inside, and Alton promises that the guy is solid, and that his payment will come out of Alton's share. Alton gives each of them a phone with two-way capabilities, and announces that they will each be on speed dial. Alton concludes by telling them all not to make any plans for Friday.
Van, Eddie, and Deaq watch the rodeo on television. Eddie says that he did the rodeo circuit for three years. Van laughingly asks if he was a clown, and Eddie very seriously say that the rodeo clown has the most difficult job. Deaq looks over at Alton and Shadow, who are sitting out on the patio talking. Shadow asks Alton what's wrong. Alton says that something isn't right, and explains about his conversation with Two Tears. Shadow reminds him that there are a thousand cons in and out of Chino every day, and says that he trusts Deaqon. Shadow reminds Alton that Deaqon and Van kicked ass in the strip club. Alton smiles and walks over to invite Deaqon to stay for dinner. Deaqon says that he and Van already have plans. I think it's a date! Alton orders Deaqon to stay, since he's family. Eddie says that they can take Van out.
Aw, yeah. Molly Hatchet. "Flirting With Disaster." I feel like I'm back in high school, drinking warm, flat beer out of a plastic cup. Van, Shadow, and Eddie walk into a western bar. Van spots a mechanical bull and says that he knows Eddie is upset about the clown comment, and that he has "great respect for the whole rodeo system and their clowns." Van says that Eddie can feel free to get on the bull and prove how tough he is. Eddie says that Van is the one who will be riding the bull. Cut to Van riding the bull and then tumbling onto the mat. Eddie and Shadow pick him up and ask if he wants to do it again. Van agrees, and Eddie tells Shadow that Van is all right.
Meanwhile, Deaq, Alton, and Rosaria eat dinner in awkward silence. Alton asks Deaq if he doesn't like Rosaria's cooking or something. Deaq chuckles nervously and says that with the holidays coming up, he's trying to watch his weight. Alton asks about Rosaria and Deaqon spending holidays together in the past. Alton asks Deaq what his mother's name is. Deaqon says it's Felicia, and Rosaria supplies that she died six years ago. Alton says that it must have really upset Deaqon's little brother, Brady. Rosaria corrects him on the name, saying that it's Bobby. You know, if they were going for a cover story, why not just stick with Deaq's actual brother's name, since that would be easier to remember. Alton tells Rosaria to shut up and let them have a simple conversation, since she's starting to piss him off. Rosaria apologizes. Deaqon stares daggers at both of them. Alton says that Rosaria always told him that she had one true love before him, but never told him who it was. Deaq says that Rosaria had all of the guys after her. Rosaria starts clearing the table. Alton grabs her and says that she can still fit into her tiny jeans, but once she gets pregnant, she won't be able to anymore. In case Deaq misses it, Alton says that they're going to start a family and he kisses Rosaria's belly. Deaq looks down at his plate and then says he's happy for them.
At the Candy Store, Deaqon works the heavy bag. More Shirtless Bellamy! Van crawls in and drunkenly says that they made him ride the mechanical bull, and then drink boilermakers. Deaq asks if he hung out with those guys all night. Van says that Shadow has "short man's complex," but that Eddie is an okay guy. Van asks Deaq to stop hitting the bag because it's making him sick. Deaq thanks Van for showing up today. Van says he knows that Deaqon doesn't trust anybody, but that they're a team. Van yells, "You and me are a team, dude. I love you, dawg!" Deaq laughs and tells Van to take two aspirin. Billie walks in and tosses down a folder, saying that she has some information on which building Alton is planning on robbing. She says that there are 655 businesses in L.A. County that move seven figures on Fridays. She tells them to stay tight on the inside until she can find out more information. She watches Deaqon pummeling the heavy bag and asks Van what Deaq's problem is. Van says that Deaq is just working off dinner.
Rosaria sits up in bed and then checks to make sure Alton is asleep. She sneaks out of the room. Moments later, she shows up at Deaqon's house. He tells her that she shouldn't be there, but she protests that Alton is sound asleep and won't even know that she's gone. And since I've watched television before, I know that's not true. Rosaria says that they need to talk, and Deaq agrees. Deaq asks her to explain to him how she sleeps with a man she doesn't love. How does he know that she's still having sex with him? The baby comment? That doesn't mean that they're currently having sex. Anyway. Rosaria whines that she's just doing what Deaqon told her to do by not changing her behavior.
A phone rings. Alton turns on a light and picks it up. It's Two Tears. He says that he found out something about Deaqon Hayes; the only thing to come into Chino is Deaqon's record, and something smells rotten to Two Tears. I need a cool name like Two Tears. But I don't want to get tattoos. Maybe I could be Two Ears. I've got two ears! It just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it? Alton hangs up the phone.
Back at Deaqon's, Rosaria says that she came to Deaq as a friend; she apologize for their make-out session the other night. Deaq agrees that it was a mistake. We see Shadow walking up to the outside of the house and Alton standing nearby. Shadow shoots out one of the floor-to-ceiling windows, and Rosaria screams. Alton walks in, and Shadow is right behind him with his gun still pointing at Deaqon and Rosaria. Deaq tries to play it off, but Alton is pissed at Rosaria for leaving without telling him. Rosaria says that she needed to talk to Deaq. Alton wonders why she had to dash out in the middle of the night. Deaq says that they were just talking and asks Alton what's wrong with him. Alton punches Deaq in the face, and Deaq returns the favor. Alton says that Deaq's ass is his, and orders Shadow to get Deaqon out of there. Deaqon yells at Alton not to lay a hand on Rosaria as he is hustled out. Alton tells Rosaria that he knows Deaqon is not her cousin, and says he's going to ask her one time only if Deaqon is her lover. Rosaria whimpers. Alton asks again. I thought he was only going to ask one time? That Alton is such a liar.
Deaq sits in a chair as Shadow whips him with a belt and Alton paces around. Strangely, there's no Shirtless Bellamy in this sequence. Maybe the makeup department couldn't do the proper welts. Alton says hello. Deaq asks weakly if Alton hurt Rosaria. Alton says that Deaq is barely breathing and that his only concern is for Alton's wife. Alton says that Rosaria is concerned about Deaqon, too. Alton whispers, "I know you've been inside my wife. I heard all about you and Darnell and your gang war and blah, blah, blah." I know Alton is supposed to be creepy and scary but it's not working for me. Deaq claims that he was just looking Rosaria up. Alton says that he checked out Deaqon's prison records, and it turns out that there's a record of Deaqon there but no one knows him, so Alton has to think that Deaq's a cop. Deaqon weakly protests that he's not a cop. Shadow snickers that maybe Deaqon is a dirty cop, and then walks off. Ha ha. Ha? Why is that funny? Alton says that Deaqon is going to call Van and say that the job isn't happening, and that if Deaqon says anything that Alton doesn't like, Rosaria will pay for it. Offscreen, we hear Rosaria scream. Alton laughs that Shadow was born without a conscience. He hands Deaqon a phone. Deaqon calls Van and says that he's sick to explain his weak voice. Deaq explains that Alton is going to move the score week, because there's a heavier load then. Van accepts this and asks if Deaq needs anything. Deaq says that he's tired and he's going to "hit the silk and dream of Jeannie." I told you that would be important later. Van says goodbye and they both hang up. Van immediately tells Billie that Deaq called and said that the score was moved to week, but that he's lying, so he must have been found out. Billie is totally not upset as she says that if they can find the robbery, they can find Deaqon, like, way to show some emotion there, Tiffani.
The armored truck speeds across town. In the back, Shadow, Alton, Rosaria, and Deaqon stare at each other. Deaq tells Alton that he's going to kill him. Alton immediately grabs Deaqon's throat and puts a gun to his head. Alton says that Deaqon must really care about Rosaria, and that he's probably willing to take a bullet for her. Alton points the gun at Rosaria and asks Deaqon if he'd die for her. Deaqon asks Alton if he wants to find out.
Van and Billie meet with Two Tears in an entirely white room. Does any prison have a room this clean? Van kicks Two Tears and says that if he's Alton's best friend, he knows where the robbery is going to take place. Two Tears ain't talking, so Van punches him, and then suggests that they transfer all of Two Tears's gang members out of Chino, and transfer in all of his enemies. Billie speaks up and says that if Two Tears tells them where the robbery is, he'll walk out of there in seven days instead of seven years. Two Tears doesn't say anything so Billie says that she has the governor on speed dial, and that if Two Tears gives up the information, he'll walk out of there. Two Tears tells them that it's the casino right to Hollywood Park.
Back in the truck, Alton tells Deaqon not to worry, because he's not going to kill him yet. He needs Deaqon's help with the robbery. Alton throws some clothes at Deaqon and orders him to get dressed; he further orders Rosaria to help. You'd think he wouldn't want his wife to be touching her lover in front of him. Shadow stops the truck and pulls Rosaria up front with him. Deaqon asks Alton why he doesn't let Rosaria go, since she's his wife. Alton says that she was his wife, but now if Deaqon does anything stupid, he might as well say his goodbyes right now. How did those two thoughts go into one sentence? They were completely unrelated. Alton unloads the clip from a gun and hands it to Deaqon, who gets out of the truck. Alton tells Eddie that they'll take care of Deaqon after the robbery, and Eddie nods knowingly.
Deaqon, Eddie, and Alton get out of the truck wearing their guards' uniforms. They enter the casino. The security guard asks what happened to the regular crew, and Alton says that they got food poisoning. You know, businesses like this have a sheet that has photographs and signatures of all of the possible guards who might show up to pick up the money, and if someone shows up who's not on the sheet, the money doesn't leave. In case you were thinking of planning a heist based on this one, I just thought you'd want to know why it wouldn't work. The security guard rolls out the cart full of money, and Deaqon starts rolling it through the casino.
Billie and Van pull up. Van says that Alton's team is already inside. Billie says that their cell phones are blocked out, so they can't communicate with each other. Van asks Billie if she can take out the armored truck. Billie says she can, and asks what Van's going to do. Van says he's going in because he knows the geography. Billie points out that they know his face. Van says that if she thinks he's giving her the easy job, she should wait until she meets Shadow. Billie tells him not to get himself killed, which is always good advice. Van tells her not to fall in love. Van gets out of the car and walks into the casino in slow motion.
Deaq rolls the cart through the casino, flanked by Eddie and Alton. Van strolls in. Deaq spots him. Van acts surprised to see them and says that he knew they were doing the job today without him. Deaq steps forward and tells Van he shouldn't be there. Van continues to complain that they lied to him. Van pulls out two guns and tosses one to Deaq. Van shoots Eddie in the leg as he dives behind some slot machines. Much shooting ensues. Alton makes a run for it, and Deaqon follows.
Outside, Shadow tries to call Alton, but he can't get a signal. Shadow says that it's taking too long, and tells Rosaria that he hopes her boyfriend didn't screw things up. The camera goes into Shadow's ear, through the earpiece, and into his cell phone, and somehow ends up on Deaqon's cell phone. Deaqon and Alton continue their shootout in the kitchen of the casino. Alton manages to run out a back door.
Van and Eddie are still in the casino. Van yells over to Eddie and asks if he's okay. Eddie says that he's not, because Van shot him. Van keeps talking as he moves closer to Eddie. Van says that Eddie needs an ambulance, but Eddie refuses the help. Outside, Billie walks up to the armored truck and, unseen by Shadow, slashes the tire. Inside, Van tells Eddie that the SWAT teams will arrive soon, and that Eddie can't outrun them with one leg. Eddie realizes that Van is a cop. Van says that if Eddie gives up now, he'll only do two years. Outside, Billie tells Shadow that he has a flat tire. He waves her away. She tells him again, and he hits the window, leading to a hilarious reaction shot by Billie as she asks Shadow what his problem is. Shadow opens the door, and Billie flips him onto the pavement and points a gun at him, telling him not to move. Inside, Van tries to get Eddie to talk to him, but gets no response. He runs over to Eddie, who is unconscious, and tells someone to call an ambulance.
Alton and Deaqon are now in some sort of warehouse, still shooting at each other. Alton asks Deaqon if he's "really willing to die for that bitch." Deaqon says that he's tired of hearing Alton's voice. Alton points out that one of Deaq's bullets punctured a gas pipe, so if either of them shoots now, they will both go up in flames. Alton adds that if he gets arrested, Deaqon will be dead before sunset, because he's got people everywhere. Alton concludes by saying that if Deaq lets him go, he might just kill Rosaria himself. Alton and Deaqon both step out from their hiding places. Alton dares Deaq to pull the trigger, and then says, "Your name is going to be the last thing I whisper before I cut her open." Deaqon gets the Manson lamps and opens Rosaria's Zippo behind his back. He flicks it and tosses it at Alton, and then dives out the door just ahead of a giant fireball.
Rosaria stands outside the crime scene and watches as Eddie is loaded into an ambulance. She spots Deaqon, safe and sound, and gives him a big hug. Billie watches in shock, and Van assures her that they are just friends. Billie turns around to see Deaqon kissing Rosaria.
Bus station. Deaqon helps Rosaria to board a Greyhound. A Greyhound? They couldn't afford a plane ticket? Deaqon hugs Rosaria, and then she picks up her bags and starts to walk away. He holds out his pinky finger, and she walks back and links it with her own, and then the bus pulls away. Deaqon notices Van standing across the street, like, what kind of a stalker is he? Van asks Deaq if he's going to see her again. Deaq tells him to mind his own business. Van asks when he's going to see her again. Deaq says it might be never, and then babbles on and on about it so that Van realizes that he's lying. They walk off into the sunset bantering. Oh, dear. I don't think there was any Shirtless Facinelli this week! Well, I'll just count some of the Shirtless Bellamy in my episode grade.
week: Billie has to confront a secret from her past in order to bust a major drug dealer, and this time, it's personal. I swear to God, they actually said that it was personal.