Chapter 1 Summary

Willie Sutton, a famous bank robber, is sitting in his cell at Attica when two guards come to escort him to the warden's office. When they ask what he's writing on the legal pad, Sutton says it's his novel, but it's really his suicide note. He's been writing it since his parole was denied. When Sutton gets to the office, the warden tells him he's being released.

The guards escort Sutton to Tailor, who measures him for the suit that he'll make for Sutton to wear when he leaves. Sutton returns to his cell to pack up his books, manuscript for his own novel, and his other belongings. Sutton calls his attorney, Katherine. She says she's sold his story to a reporter as an exclusive and they're flying him to New York City. He also calls his friend Donald to ask him if...