Page "The Sting" Paragraph 3

Johnny Hooker, a grifter from Depression-era Joliet, Illinois, cons $ 11, 000 in cash from an unsuspecting victim, with the aid of his partners Luther Coleman and Joe Erie.

Buoyed by the windfall, Luther announces his retirement and advises Hooker to seek out an old friend, Henry Gondorff, in Chicago, to teach him “ the big con .” Unfortunately, their victim was a numbers racket courier for vicious crime boss Doyle Lonnegan.

Corrupt Joliet police Lieutenant William Snyder confronts Hooker, revealing Lonnegan's involvement and demanding part of Hooker ’ s cut.

Having already spent his cut, Hooker pays Snyder in counterfeit bills.

Lonnegan's men murder Luther, and Hooker flees for his life to Chicago.