Two Step

James travels from El Paso to Austin to visit his ailing grandmother. He learns from her lawyer that she anticipated illness and arranged an inheritance of $85,000 for him. The grandmother dies soon after his arrival, leaving James with both grief and a sudden windfall.

Dot, the next‑door neighbor, consoles James after the grandmother's death and invites him to drinks at a local bar. They begin to get to know each other and share their pasts. Their growing bond offers James a sense of connection in a town where he knows no one.

James explains that the deaths of his parents made college awkward and that he avoids people who press about his health. He admits feeling isolated in Austin with nobody he knows. Dot listens and offers support as he processes the loss.

Webb, a small‑time con man, is released from prison and returns to his girlfriend Amy. He confronts her about a past incident, highlighting that his life remains volatile and criminal. The stage is set for upcoming debts and danger.

Amy escapes with the money Webb conned from senior citizens, fleeing the house in a panic. Webb discovers the heist has undermined his plans and his leverage against debtors weakens. The loss raises the stakes for everyone involved.

Duane, a local crime boss, gives Webb two weeks to pay off $10,000 in debts. The ultimatum creates time pressure that drives Webb toward desperate actions. He weighs whether to pull off riskier schemes to cover the money.

Webb pretends to be James and leaves a message asking for more money on James's grandmother's voicemail. James recognizes the ruse and contacts Horace for help, but Horace admits he can do little. The dynamic shows how easily the con can spread despite limited police power.

Webb arrives at the grandmother's house and James tries to bluff him into leaving for later. Webb overpowers James, beats him, and takes him prisoner. The standoff intensifies as Webb demands the PIN to access James's bank funds.

Webb learns that although James's account holds a large sum, he can withdraw only about $900 a day due to banking rules. He tries to negotiate a payment plan with Duane, who reveals he only wanted to scare Webb out of town. The accessibility of the inheritance becomes a central obstacle.

Webb kills James's grandmother's lawyer, Mance, who comes to check on James. The murder demonstrates Webb's brutal willingness to eliminate anyone in his path. James is left increasingly exposed as danger closes in.

Webb murders Amy to recover the stolen money and confronts Duane, whom he shoots as their conflict escalates. Duane dies, muttering that he could have killed Webb many times but hadn't. The criminal world closes in on James as the violence reaches a peak.

Webb returns to the grandmother's house and is surprised to find James missing. In the kitchen, James, still holding the knife, impales Webb as he collides with him and collapses. James staggers out of the house, where Dot finally sees him, marking a brutal but sobering end to the ordeal.