Empty Hand

Synopsis

When Jack Brannon, a former operative in silent search and destroy military operations, returned home for his father’s funeral, he found his parents’ letters to him had hidden the truth of their lives. Their pub, The Last Drop Inn, hub of the sprawling ‘70’s Liverpool estate, was overrun by thieves and drug-pushers under the wing of wayward family member and gang-leader, Lenny, a man obsessed with knives and swords. After the funeral, Jack stayed on and with help, cleaned up the estate, but the price was the death of Jack’s close army friend for which his cousin Lenny was convicted.

For the last three years the estate has enjoyed a calm never before experienced, but Lenny, released from prison after his sentence was quashed on appeal, wants revenge and the estate back under his control. Lenny has waited for Jack’s wedding day to return and has sent a message that he will be on the morning ferry from Ireland carrying a blade not intended to cut any wedding cake. With three of Lenny’s old gang waiting at the docks, Jack is persuaded to leave with his new bride, Doe, before the ferry arrives. They get no further than the beach at Crosby. Deep down Jack knows they will be followed wherever they go and that to return to the estate to face Lenny is the only answer. Back at The Last Drop Inn, Doe pleads with Jack one last time before she walks away.

Jack has less than an hour to persuade his old supporters to back him again, but one by one they turn their backs on him. Unwilling to carry a weapon, Jack faces the men alone and unarmed. In a succession of fights, Jack is saved only by the surprise return and actions of Doe, which result in a fight to the death between Jack and Lenny. For Jack it is a hollow victory, tainted by the reluctance of the community to stand by him in his hour of need. Jack and Doe finally leave for a new life together.