Two Smart People (1946) Plot Summary Explained

Ace agrees to testify against Fly to reduce his prison sentence. Facing time behind bars for the bond theft, he negotiates a deal with authorities to testify in exchange for a lighter punishment. This decision angers Fly because it threatens to expose their criminal operation and leaves Fly vulnerable to prosecution.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Ace's willingness to make deals is shown when he cons Dwight Chadwick with the bogus oil investment, establishing him as someone who looks out for himself first.

• Ace Connors
• Fly Feletti
• testifying
• reduced sentence
• deal with authorities

Ricki helps Ace because she falls in love with him during the Beverly Hills con. Despite being a con artist herself who initially tries to swindle Ace, she becomes genuinely attracted to him and decides to use her skills to assist him rather than compete against him. Her criminal expertise becomes an asset in outmaneuvering Fly and helping Ace protect the bonds.

Foreshadowing: Ricki intercepts Ace's scam at the Beverly Hills hotel, showing she's drawn into his world and can match his intelligence.

• Ricki Woodner
• Ace Connors
• love
• attraction
• helping con artist

Ace leaves the cookbook containing the half-million dollars in bonds at a New Orleans costume shop because he believes it will be safe and unnoticed until he returns. The costume shop's disorganized nature and the chaos of Mardi Gras make it an ideal hiding spot in his mind. He trusts that no one would think to look for valuable bonds inside a cookbook among costumes.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Ace successfully hid the bonds in the cookbook when he first approached Dwight Chadwick, proving the cookbook hiding spot has worked once before.

• cookbook
• bonds
• costume shop
• New Orleans
• hidden stash

Ace tells Ricki about the bonds being hidden in the cookbook because he trusts her completely by that point. Their romantic connection during Mardi Gras has deepened their relationship, and Ace wants to share this important secret with her. The revelation also shows his vulnerability and that he's willing to let her in on his criminal plans, demonstrating how his feelings for her have grown.

Foreshadowing: Their romantic moment at midnight in New Orleans follows days of growing closeness while on the run together.

• trust
• bonds location
• midnight
• romantic moment
• secret

Simms manages to stop Fly by being faster on the draw when Fly makes his move to seize the bonds during the train journey. As Fly attempts to take the bonds, Simms intervenes in time and defeats him, preventing Fly from taking the money or harming anyone. Simms had been keeping a vigilant watch over the situation throughout the trip, anticipating exactly this kind of attempt.

Foreshadowing: Simms was assigned specifically to guard Ace and the bonds throughout the journey, establishing his role as the law enforcement protection.

• Detective Simms
• Fly Feletti
• stopped
• bonds
• train
• draw

Fly is furious because Ace's decision to testify threatens to expose their entire criminal operation and could land Fly in prison. As Ace's former partner in crime, Fly feels betrayed by someone he trusted. Additionally, Ace's testimony puts Fly's share of the half-million dollar bonds at risk, making the betrayal both personal and financial.

Foreshadowing: Fly's anger is established immediately after Ace makes the deal with authorities, showing the serious breach of trust between former partners.

• Fly Feletti
• revenge
• betrayed
• testifying
• partner in crime

After Fly's attempt is thwarted by Simms, the bonds remain hidden in the cookbook at the New Orleans costume shop. The film doesn't explicitly show the bonds being retrieved, but the immediate threat is removed. Ricki's loyalty is confirmed when she doesn't take the money and instead waits for Ace to be released from Sing Sing, showing the bonds were never her primary motivation.

Foreshadowing: Ace left the book at the costume shop confident no one would find it, and his trust in Ricki is rewarded by her loyalty.

• bonds
• cookbook
• Fly failed
• Ricki loyalty
• retrieved

Ricki decides to wait for Ace at Sing Sing because her feelings for him are genuine and she wants to prove her loyalty despite their criminal backgrounds. Even though she's a con artist who could have taken the bonds and disappeared, she chooses to remain faithful to Ace and wait for his release from prison. Her vow to wait demonstrates that her love transcends the criminal lifestyle they both share.

Foreshadowing: Ricki proves her loyalty throughout the journey by helping Ace evade Fly and refusing to abandon him when danger peaks.

• Ricki
• Sing Sing
• waiting
• loyalty
• prison
• love

Simms allows Ricki to stay on the train because she doesn't pose an immediate threat and her presence actually helps keep Ace calm and cooperative during the journey. While Simms maintains control of the situation, he recognizes that Ricki's intentions have shifted from competing with Ace to genuinely helping him. Simms keeps watch over everyone on board, but doesn't remove Ricki since she hasn't committed any crimes that would warrant arrest.

Foreshadowing: Simms was assigned to escort Ace, and his vigilant monitoring extends to all passengers including Ricki.

• Detective Simms
• Ricki
• train
• allowed
• escort Ace

Ace and Ricki risk stopping in New Orleans during Mardi Gras because they decide the romantic opportunity is worth the danger of delaying the journey. Both are drawn to each other romantically, and the festive atmosphere of Mardi Gras provides the perfect cover for them to be together away from the scrutiny of the train and Simms' constant watch. The stop represents a moment where they choose love and adventure over the urgency of their mission.

Foreshadowing: Ricki has been falling for Ace throughout the train journey, building toward this romantic detour.

• Mardi Gras
• New Orleans
• romantic detour
• risk
• love
• celebration