THE JACKPOT

Synopsis

SHAWN, an ethical young man with a passion for NASCAR, agrees to be the getaway driver in a bank robbery orchestrated by his brother-in-law TED and Ted's friends, the notorious duo MILO and NOVA. During the heist, the brothers take REGINA, a bank employee, as a hostage. Shawn recognizes Regina because of her bracelet and begs the robbers not to harm her. Despite Shawn's pleas, Milo pushes Regina out of the speeding getaway car to her death in an attempt to slow down the pursuing police. Shawn is devastated, and in an act of conscience, he stops the car

and surrenders himself and the rest of the gang to the police. During the arrest, Milo is killed by the police, while Shawn, Ted, and Nova are taken into custody and end up in prison.

A year later, Shawn is released on parole for being a good Samaritan. He struggles to readjust and make amends with his sister ANNIE, who blames him for her husband Ted's imprisonment. Shawn learns of an unclaimed $28 million lottery ticket purchased a year prior and remembers briefly meeting the late Regina in a lottery kiosk. He realizes Regina may have bought the winning ticket and enlists the help of her closest friend and colleague, LETICIA, to track it down. Initially, Leticia condemns Shawn and doesn't cooperate with him. After Shawn explains his innocence in the whole Regina's death debacle, Leticia starts seeing the real side of him and gets on board with his plan. Together, they begin their hunt for the abandoned winning ticket, getting closer to each other in the process. Leticia loses her bank job due to her association with Shawn, and she suggests checking Regina's empty cubicle in the bank, where she might have stored the ticket. Shawn uses his unemployed buddy NICK to apply and get a job in the bank, through which Nick gains access and, after an intelligently plotted episode, acquires the ticket for them.

In the meantime, Shawn manages to make a good impression and regain the love and trust of his sister and her three CHILDREN. He promises to support them through their difficult times by providing financial assistance and looking ahead to better days. Shawn's parole officer, RICHMOND, hears about an abandoned winning lottery ticket that is claimed after a year. He suspects Shawn of owning the ticket and visits the prison to confirm with Ted. During the confrontation with Ted, Nova, seeking revenge for his brother's death, approaches Richmond and offers to kill Shawn in exchange for helping him escape from the prison. Richmond attempts to extort money from Shawn and Leticia, but they refuse. As a result, Richmond decides to hire Nova to carry out the task. Nova successfully escapes the prison with Richmond's help, and on his way out, he stabs Ted, who tries to stop him, with a makeshift prison blade.

Shawn agrees to give Richmond three million dollars after receiving a direct threat from Richmond about kidnapping one of his nephews. On the eve before receiving the money from Shawn, Nova visits Richmond at his place and learns about the big payday. He then assassinates Richmond using a long-range sniper gun and uses Richmond's cellphone to direct Shawn to an Amtrak station for the money drop. The next day, Shawn, Annie, and Leticia hear about Ted's stabbing and Nova's prison escape. Leticia cautions Shawn to be careful as he goes for the money drop. He reaches the train station, drops the money in the locker as instructed, and then receives the news from Leticia about Richmond's death from the previous night. Immediately, Shawn returns to pick up the money, knowing Nova is deceiving him. Nova already grabs the money, but Shawn chases him inside a laser-tag arena. After an intense standoff between them, Nova is killed by Shawn.

Ted eventually survives. Shawn and Leticia are able to claim the lottery prize safely. Afterward, Ted's charges are reduced due to his attempt to stop Nova's escape, resulting in an early release from prison. Shawn reconciles with Ted and Annie, pays for his nephew's college education, and continues to pursue his NASCAR dreams with his share of the lottery winnings. Additionally, he begins a romantic relationship with Leticia.