Blast of Silence

Frankie Bono travels from Cleveland to New York City during Christmas week with the intention of assassinating Troiano. He is warned that the contract will be reneged if he is spotted before the hit, so he must stay hidden until the moment of action. The city’s festive mood contrasts with the looming violence he plans to unleash.

To maximize his chances, Frankie follows Troiano to observe his daily routine and identify when he is unprotected and alone. He looks for a location that offers a clear escape and minimal interference. The days spent tailing his target heighten the tension of the forthcoming hit.

Frankie buys a revolver from his old acquaintance Big Ralph, marking a darker turn toward the planned assassination. The encounter leaves him repulsed as he confronts memories from a life he tries to leave behind. The gun purchase tightens the grip of the impending operation.

With days to wait before the hit, Frankie wanders through New York City and is haunted by memories of his violent past. The holiday noise around him clashes with his inner grief and trauma. These quiet, painful moments reveal the cost of a life spent in murder.

Frankie reconnects with his childhood friend Petey, who invites him to a Christmas party with Petey's sister Lorrie. The party offers Frankie a glimpse of family warmth and belonging he has been missing. He reluctantly agrees to attend, hoping for a moment of normalcy.

At the party, Frankie uneasily enjoys time with Lorrie, rekindling a connection from his past. The warm, familial setting provides a stark contrast to the violence he's planned. The scene deepens Frankie’s emotional conflict about continuing with the job.

The next day Frankie visits Lorrie at her apartment and abruptly tries to make a pass. Lorrie forgives him, but she tells him to leave, making clear their past cannot be revived. The moment leaves Frankie more isolated and conflicted.

Frankie tails Troiano and his mistress to the Village Gate jazz club in Greenwich Village. That same day, Big Ralph spots Frankie and begins planning a blackmail scheme to squeeze more money for the gun. The dual pressure tightens Frankie’s sense of danger.

Frankie follows Ralph back to his apartment and strangles him in a brutal confrontation. The killing eliminates Ralph's blackmail leverage but solidifies Frankie’s commitment to finishing the job regardless of cost. The act marks a crucial turning point where his humanity seems increasingly strained.

The Mafia bosses warn Frankie that quitting is not an option and set a hard deadline: he must complete the Troiano hit by New Year's Eve. Frankie feels the pressure mount as the clock ticks, knowing his freedom is tied to the success of the job. He prepares for the final act while wrestling with fear and resolve.

Frankie goes to see Lorrie again to apologize and ask her to leave New York with him, only to discover she has a live-in boyfriend. The revelation shatters his hope for a humane exit and deepens his sense of loneliness. He leaves in anger, resolved to complete the hit despite the personal cost.

Frankie kills Troiano, narrowly evading a cleaner who might expose him. He arranges to receive the rest of his payment, meeting at a lonely waterfront location. The meeting becomes an ambush: he is shot repeatedly, falls into the water, and dies.