Street Smart

Jonathan Fisher struggles to pitch a story to his editor, Ted Avery, about a real-life street pimp. He finally pitches a profile on Punchy, who is wary of sharing information. Ted senses the piece could be sensational but imposes a tight deadline.

Jonathan pays Punchy to meet and discuss the case, hoping to extract material for Tyrone. Punchy remains loyal to her pimp, Leo Smalls, out of fear and blocks access to useful information. The interview quickly hits a wall, highlighting the danger behind the story.

Smalls beats up a patron who assaults one of his girls, and the patron dies of a heart attack. Smalls is indicted for second-degree murder as the case fractures the line between street credibility and criminal liability. The public eye starts to turn toward him just as Jonathan's fictional Tyrone gains traction.

Alison's attempt to help Jonathan backfires, pushing him to invent Tyrone to salvage the piece. The Tyrone character is exceptionally well received by readers and Ted, catapulting Jonathan toward TV exposure. The article transforms into a ratings-friendly phenomenon.

The Tyrone story becomes a sensation, and Jonathan lands a TV segment called Street Smart about people using their street smarts on the streets of New York. The piece elevates his fame and draws more attention from Smalls' camp. The divide between fiction and reality begins to blur.

Ted pushes for more Tyrone-enabled stories, eager for continued buzz. Leonard Pike, an Assistant District Attorney, visits Jonathan, furious that the Tyrone piece has amplified Smalls' celebrity. Jonathan denies that Tyrone and Smalls are the same person, but Pike remains unconvinced.

Smalls' lawyer subpoenas Jonathan's interview notes, anticipating a show of refusal that could undermine the defense. Jonathan and Alison both know that no real Tyrone notes exist, and they refuse to reveal fabricated material. The legal pressure intensifies as the case approaches trial.

Jonathan is ordered to appear at Smalls' trial and is held in contempt for refusing to disclose material. After making bail, he confesses to the magazine's lawyer that the entire story was invented, but a judge shows him photos of his first meeting with Smalls, undermining his claim and keeping him confined. The legal battle deepens while Jonathan's conscience troubles him.

Pike questions Punchy as she considers leaving the pimp life, but Smalls threatens to cut out her eye and forces a cruel choice. She selects her left eye to preserve her life and is released, and she then rushes to inform Pike. Smalls' hold over the situation grows darker as the feud escalates.

Punchy tells Pike that Smalls wants Jonathan to fabricate notes, confirming to investigators that the manipulation is real. She seeks protection or a way out, while Jonathan wrestles with the consequences of his fabrication. The corruption becomes more entangled as the two forces collide.

Jonathan changes his story again, agrees to produce the notes, and is released from custody. Smalls is found not guilty at trial, buoyed by the alleged alibi and the perception of fabricated evidence. Pike vows to pursue Jonathan for fabricating evidence.

To undermine Smalls further, Jonathan tapes Reggie accepting $200 from Darlene, suggesting a skim from Smalls' operation. He tells Reggie to skip town to avoid retribution. The plan tightens the stake in the case as the web of deceit grows.

Smalls tracks down Reggie, who, fearing for his life, shoots Smalls in self-defense during the chase. Reggie is later taken away in handcuffs, while Jonathan reports on Smalls' execution for his Street Smart segment. The line between journalism and crime blurs as the story reaches its grim conclusion.