Circa 1980s, two New York criminals head west to Los Angeles to make the score of a lifetime; stealing a new-to-the-market cosmetic drug called Botox.
Carlo Landrolino stole from the Gambarino crime family, something not many people have the balls to do. However in doing so Carlo has put himself and his cousin Mickey O'Brien at the top of their shit list. Feeling the heat and fearing for their lives Carlo and Mickey, depart New York and head out west to California. Landing in 1982 Los Angeles, Carlo and Mickey enter a brand new world where nobody knows who they are...Now masters of their own destiny they begin to scour the city for ways to make money. After a bit of a search, Carlo is able to connect with an old friend from New York who works at the docks in Long Beach, CA. From this old contact, Carlo finds out about a big shipment of a new face drug intended to revolutionize the Beverly Hills cosmetic surgery scene: Botox. With little else to go on, Carlo and Mickey must now put their hopes on stealing this "miracle drug" Botox navigating their way through the strange and bizarre underworld of Los Angeles to plan the biggest heist of their criminal lives. At the same time they must wheel and deal with new friends and enemies alike while trying to stay ahead of the Gambarino crime family and the troubles they left behind back home in New York.—RJ Lucci
It's 1982, Los Angeles, California. On a hill overlooking the smoggy cityscape is Carlo, a recent transplant from New York who's looking to make his fortune is in the City of Angeles. Moments later he is joined by his best friend and partner Mickey. Due to some "unforeseen complications" the duo had to leave New York fast and now find themselves in L.A. looking for a fresh start. Carlo chastises Mickey on being tardy and Mickey retorts that Carlo didn't exactly pick the most convenient spot for a meeting. Putting out his cigarette, Carlo gets down to brass tacks: He's got a job for them: One that can put them both on the map. Mickey likes what he hears and asks for the details. Carlo explains that he's gotten wind of a shipment of a new drug that set to hit the L.A. scene. Intrigued Mickey asks what the drug is. That's when Carlo reaches in his pocket and pulls out a small vial of liquid and explains it's called Botox.
On the drive into the valley, Carlo lays in on Mickey asking why he was late. Mickey tries to evade the question, but Carlo is persistent. Mickey finally relents and reveals that ever since moving to LA, he has been homesick and has been unable to get his feet underneath him - He's homesick. Carlo eases up and tells Mickey that he empathizes that for all intents and purposes LA is home now and they just have to adjust. It's here in LA that the two can make a fresh start and this Botox heist is how they'll do it.
The two pull up to a nondescript warehouse, belonging to Alvi, a major player in L.A. and cousin to mutual contact they know from New York. Carlo wants to bring Alvi in on the heist as Alvi is very connected in LA. As they reach the entrance they are confronted by Bill, Alvi's personal bodyguard. The gruff bodyguard asks the two to state their business, but due to his heavy west indies accent the two have trouble understanding him. After a bit of back and forth the two get no closer to getting in, and Carlo recognizing the situation pulls out a pair of Abba tickets and hands them to Bill, as a "gesture" of good faith. Almost immediately Bill's confrontational attitude disappears, and he escorts the two inside.
Stepping through the threshold of the entrance, the two are transported to a surreal cacophony of bright lights and music as Bill leads them through the twist and turns of the warehouse where the duo come upon Alvi and his crew having a party. Alvi welcomes the newcomers and asks if they are here to celebrate his girlfriend Raven's birthday. Carlo declines and instead explains that they are here to offer a business proposition. Alvi, brushes them off stating he does not even know who they are, but Carlo mentions he's close associate of Alvi's cousin in New York. Despite the name drop, Alvi does not want to deal, so Carlo pulls out his trump card: the vial of Botox. Still unimpressed Alvi dismisses Carlo, however his associate Penny is intrigued and convinces Alvi to at least hear the two out. Carlo explains about the drug and how he has a plan to get it and wants to bring Alvi in as a partner. Alvi appreciates them bringing him this opportunity but says that he doesn't know them or know if their stuff they have is any good. So, unless they can prove to him that the stuff is legit, he's not down. As communication begins to negotiations begin to breakdown and temper flair, Mickey steps up and volunteers to use the sample and prove that the stuff is real. With a brief prayer and a deep breath, he plunges the syringe into his face, much to everyone squeamish surprise.
Sometime later back in the car, Carlo drives while Mickey nurses his head. Despite having a slight headache, Mickey feels fine and appears to have no adverse effects. We flashback back to Alvi's office and learn that Mickey's gambit has paid off - Alvi is willing to deal but on one condition: They must first steal a 1969 Mustang for his girlfriend Raven. If the two can deliver the car, then Alvi agrees to help them with the heist. With the proposition laid out Carlo and Mickey then confer on who they know who could help them nab the car. They settle on Bobby, an old associate from New York who's been living in LA for several years now. He apparently has been running a small-time car theft operation with the help of his protégé Eddie. After a quick stop at a pay phone to set up the meeting, Carlo, and Mickey head home.
Later, at Carlo's apartment, Bobby and Eddie arrive. After a round of pleasantries it is revealed that Eddie is in fact Edgar, a fellow classmate in Mickey's acting class, and the two already know each other. Edgar was the one who stole the current car that Carlo and Mickey have been driving in. With all the introductions out of the way Carlo gets down to business and lays out the job for Bobby: They need to nab a 69 Mustang asap so they can secure Alvi's help in stealing the Botox shipment. Upon hearing that Alvi is involved Bobby, immediately declines. Caught off guard, Carlo wants to know what the problem. Bobby reveals doesn't trust Alvi and has heard that he is in bed with the feds. Unfortunately, now that Bobby is out, Edgar is out too, as they are a team. Sorry that things shook out this way Bobby wishes them the best of luck and he and Edgar leave. With his best laid plans gone awry, Carlo is left to wonder's how the hell he's going to pull this heist off now.
