Late night. Same dead-ass bar.
Vincent rushed in, sliding into the corner booth.
"Joe, back so soon? Got a lead?"
Donnie sat with his back to Vincent, silent, just pounding his drink.
Sensing Donnie's mood was off, Vincent raised his voice slightly.
"Joe, what's wrong?"
Donnie let out a heavy sigh, finally building up the nerve to speak.
"Vincent, I got a question."
"A question? You joking?"
"Listen. It's serious."
Hearing the edge in Donnie's voice, Vincent suppressed his annoyance.
"Fine. Ask."
"You said if I bust this bank job, I get to come back in. Is my file ready?"
Vincent's pupils constricted.
"Of course! I had them prep your jacket. Case closes, you come back. Straight to Sergeant."
"Let me see it."
"Now? Records is closed! Joe, just wait till the case wraps. What's the rush?"
Donnie had spent enough time in the underworld to read people. He heard the deflection loud and clear. Vincent was stalling.
The file didn't exist. Vincent was lying.
Donnie's heart dropped into his stomach.
Gritting his teeth, Donnie decided to run one last test.
"Vincent, I changed my mind. I want to stay undercover."
"Really? That's gr— cough! I mean, I'm glad you're willing to keep sacrificing for the safety of Los Angeles!"
The sheer joy in Vincent's voice was impossible to hide. It sent Donnie spiraling.
Just like Lawson said. Handlers only care about the bust. They don't give a shit about the agent's safety or future.
Seeing Donnie go silent again, Vincent got impatient.
"Joe, anything else?"
"Phil and Dennis are moving soon."
"When exactly?"
"Didn't say. But within a few days."
Vincent frowned. He knew the target was the Pacific Standard branch, but without a time, what was he supposed to do? Camp out 24/7?
"Joe, dig deeper! Get a time!"
This pissed Donnie off.
"Phil and Dennis are already suspecting me!"
"Joe, you'll figure it out! Success is right there!"
Donnie was done. Thankfully, they were sitting back-to-back, so Vincent couldn't see the look of pure disgust on his face.
"I'll figure it out."
Donnie spat the words out, stood up, and walked away.
Vincent turned, watching Donnie leave with a confused look. The guy seemed different, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
"Don't forget your phone!"
Leaving the bar, Donnie jumped into his car, ready to bolt. suddenly, a knock on the window.
He turned. Lawson's handsome face was right there.
"Well?"
Donnie stared at Lawson, shell-shocked.
"You... you knew everything?"
Lawson flashed a faint smile.
"Knew what? That your wife is named Maggie? Mr. Pistone?"
Donnie felt naked. Like Lawson could see right through his soul. No secrets existed here.
Truth was, Lawson didn't know everything. Svafa's intel wasn't omniscient. He just connected the dots.
Rupert Lawrence needed cash -> sold contraband.
Donnie frequently visited a woman named Maggie Pistone -> Donnie is Pistone.
Basic deduction. But to Donnie, Lawson looked like a terrifying, all-knowing god.
"What... what do you want?"
"Don't ask me what I want. Ask yourself. Do you want to chase some ideal and sacrifice your family for it? Or do you want to live a happy life with them?"
Donnie fell silent.
If this was rookie Joe Pistone fresh out of the academy, he'd choose the ideal.
But this was Donnie Brasco. Seeing his wife's belly grow day by day, feeling that little life forming... his priorities had shifted.
That was why he asked Vincent to bring him in. He wanted stability.
Donnie opened his mouth to speak, but Lawson suddenly held up a finger. Shh. He pointed toward the bar entrance.
Vincent walked out. He didn't notice the two men in the car.
Once Vincent was gone, Lawson tapped his temple.
"Donnie, I never force anyone to make a choice. Go home. Think about it. Maybe ask your wife."
Lawson turned and walked away into the night.
Leaving Donnie in the car, mind reeling.
Protocol said he should head back to Phil and Dennis's crash pad so they wouldn't notice he was gone.
But right now, Donnie just wanted to go home. His real home.
Door opened. Maggie Pistone, a light sleeper, woke up with a start.
"Who's there?"
"Maggie. It's me."
Hearing her husband's voice, Maggie relaxed and flipped on the lamp.
"Joe? Why are you back so late?"
Donnie never came home in the middle of the night. Seeing the exhaustion etched on his face, Maggie grew concerned.
"I... I'm just lost, Maggie. I needed to see you."
Maggie looked confused. "Okay... look, I shouldn't have snapped at you the other day. But you don't have to be like this."
They had a massive fight a few days ago about her pregnancy scare. It was the main reason Donnie wanted out. He felt guilty for not being there.
"No! It's not that! Maggie... if I quit being undercover..."
Seeing the conflict in his eyes, Maggie pulled her husband into a hug.
"Stop. Joe, it doesn't matter what you choose. As long as we're together, that's all that matters."
Holding his pregnant wife, the confusion in Donnie's eyes faded, replaced by steel resolve.
He gently touched Maggie's stomach.
"Maggie, we're going to be together. I promise."