The Fall-Guy Plan

The Maltese Falcon

Spade’s insistence on a culprit turns Wilmer into a bargaining chip, exposing the criminal group’s internal loyalties and the risks of manufactured justice.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Need for a Victim The Need for a Victim from "The Maltese Falcon". The Need for a Victim A detective’s condition Spade argues that the police will eventually uncover the falcon unless they are given a suspect they can…

The Need for a Victim from "The Maltese Falcon". The Need for a Victim A detective’s condition Spade argues that the police will eventually uncover the falcon unless they are given a suspect they can…

The Need for a Victim A detective’s condition Spade argues that the police will eventually uncover the falcon unless they are given a suspect they can prosecute. A business safeguard He presents a fall guy as essential to protecting both his own reputation and the group’s freedom to leave San Francisco.

Wilmer Named Wilmer Named from "The Maltese Falcon". Wilmer Named A convenient culprit Spade proposes Wilmer Cook, describing him as a gunman who can be tied to the killings and whose story the prosecutor is…

Wilmer Named from "The Maltese Falcon". Wilmer Named A convenient culprit Spade proposes Wilmer Cook, describing him as a gunman who can be tied to the killings and whose story the prosecutor is…

Wilmer Named A convenient culprit Spade proposes Wilmer Cook, describing him as a gunman who can be tied to the killings and whose story the prosecutor is unlikely to believe. A divided response Gutman laughs at the proposal, while Wilmer understands the danger. The suggestion exposes the difference between Gutman’s paternal language and his practical willingness to sacrifice the boy.

A Second Candidate A Second Candidate from "The Maltese Falcon". A Second Candidate Cairo offered instead When Gutman resists sacrificing Wilmer, Spade proposes Joel Cairo as a less suitable but still possible culprit.

A Second Candidate from "The Maltese Falcon". A Second Candidate Cairo offered instead When Gutman resists sacrificing Wilmer, Spade proposes Joel Cairo as a less suitable but still possible culprit.

A Second Candidate Cairo offered instead When Gutman resists sacrificing Wilmer, Spade proposes Joel Cairo as a less suitable but still possible culprit. Leverage asserted Cairo protests, but Spade says the falcon is in his hands and a scapegoat is part of his price. The threat forces the others to negotiate on his terms.

Wilmer Overpowered Wilmer Overpowered from "The Maltese Falcon". Wilmer Overpowered The room turns physical Wilmer raises his pistol, but Gutman and Cairo catch his wrist and force the weapon down.

Wilmer Overpowered from "The Maltese Falcon". Wilmer Overpowered The room turns physical Wilmer raises his pistol, but Gutman and Cairo catch his wrist and force the weapon down.

Wilmer Overpowered The room turns physical Wilmer raises his pistol, but Gutman and Cairo catch his wrist and force the weapon down. Spade knocks him unconscious while the others hold him. A coerced agreement Gutman agrees to hand Wilmer over. The scapegoat plan is secured by force rather than by the loyalty Gutman claims to feel.

The Plan Breaks The Plan Breaks from "The Maltese Falcon". The Plan Breaks The captive vanishes Wilmer escapes from the apartment during the confusion surrounding the false falcon.

The Plan Breaks from "The Maltese Falcon". The Plan Breaks The captive vanishes Wilmer escapes from the apartment during the confusion surrounding the false falcon.

The Plan Breaks The captive vanishes Wilmer escapes from the apartment during the confusion surrounding the false falcon. A new killing Tom Polhaus reports that Wilmer has shot Gutman. Spade’s intended transfer of a culprit to the police is overtaken by the boy’s flight and further violence.

The final night, after Gutman pays

During the same negotiation

Moments after Wilmer’s resistance

After Gutman and Cairo restrain him

After the counterfeit is exposed