TOMMY
Yeah. That was an easy ride, let me tell you. Work programs, weekend furloughs. Not like here.
SNOOZE
Sounds like you done time all over New England.
TOMNY
Been in and out since I was 13. Name the place, chances are I been there.
ANDY
Perhaps it's time you considered a new profession.
(the game stalls)
What I mean is, you don't seem to be a very good thief. Maybe you should try something else.
TOMMY
What the hell you know about it, Capone? What are you in for?
ANDY
(wry glance to Red)
Everyone's innocent in here. Don't you know that?
The tension breaks. Everyone laughs.
INT -- VISITOR'S ROOM -- DAY (1965)
CAMERA TRAVELS the room. Chaotic. CONS are waiting their turn or talking to visitors through a thick plexi shield.
RED (V.O.)
As it turns out, Tommy had himself a young wife and new baby girl…
Tommy's at the end of the row, phone to his ear. Other side of the glass is BETH, near tears, fussing with a BABY on her lap.
BETH
…said we can stay with them, but Joey's gettin' out of the service next month, and they barely got enough room as it is. Plus they got Poppa workin' double shifts and the baby cries half the night. I just don't know where we're gonna go…
PUSH IN on Tommy's face as he listens.
RED (V.O.)
Maybe it was the thought of them on the streets… or his child growing up not knowing her daddy…
INT -- LIBRARY -- DAY (1965)
Tommy enters, the strut gone from his step. A little scared. He finds Andy filing library cards.
RED (V.O.)
Whatever it was, something lit a fire under that boy's ass.
TOMMY
I'm thinkin' maybe I should try for high school equivalency. Hear you helped some fellas with that.
ANDY
I don't waste time on losers, Tommy.
TOMNY
(tight)
I ain't no goddamn loser.
ANDY
That's a good start. If we do this, we do it all the way. One hundred percent. Nothing half-assed.
Tommy thinks about it, nods.
TOMMY
Thing is, see…
(leans in, mutters)
…I don't read all that good.
ANDY
(smiles)
Well. You've come to the right place then.
INT -- LIBRARY -- DAY (1965)
We find Andy giving an impassioned reading:
ANDY
"…and the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor… and my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor, shall be lifted nevermore!"
Andy slaps the book shut, immensely pleased with himself.
TOMMY
So this raven just sits there and won't go away?
ANDY
That's right.
TOMMY
(beat)
Why don't that fella get hisself a 12-gauge and dust the fucker?
INT -- LIBRARY -- DAY (1965)
Tommy tries to read as Andy looks on:
TOMMY
The cat sh--The cat shh…
(glances up)
The cat shat on the welcome mat?
Andy shakes his head.
ANDY
Not exactly.
INT -- LIBRARY -- DAY (1965)
Andy chalks the alphabet on a blackboard.
RED (V.O.)