A simple question about the end of Training Day

Submitted by HortonHearsTheWho t3_z4d0mt in movies

Is Jake basically stuck with the money?

I realized this upon a recent rewatch: everything Alonzo said about the impossibility of Jake’s position remains true even after Alonzo meets his end. As Alonzo says, “It’s not what you know, it’s what you can prove.”

The official story is still that Jake is the one who shot Roger, and there are no witnesses to corroborate his version of events. Alonzo’s crew aren’t going to change their story for him, and might come gunning for him if he turns in the money and proves that he’s the one who kept Alonzo from making things right with the Russians.

Since he’s the official killer of Roger, if he turns in the money with an accusation of theft he probably becomes subject to an investigation himself. With a conflicting story. And he’s still got PCP in his system. Goodbye career.

I guess maybe Eva Mendez’ character could testify on Jake’s behalf but I guess that could make her an accessory? Doubt the homies would want to cooperate with police.

Given the PR sensitivity, seems like Jake’s only option is to go to the Three Wise Men and try to get their help covering it up. But that violates his moral code.

I guess he could also destroy the cash...

What do you think happens to Jake and the money?

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Dottsterisk t1_ixq7568 wrote

It might be assumed that the Russians took the money when they whacked Alonzo.

If that’s the case, then I could see Jake either A) saving the money for his family and his new kid, B) surreptitiously giving it away to causes he deems worthy in his area, or C) a combination of both.

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ThatOtkauWolf_90 t1_ixq7hoh wrote

He better hope he has the money, seeing as Alonzo's squad of crooked cops (who hate Jake) are now gunning for him probably both legally and illegally.

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HortonHearsTheWho OP t1_ixqa322 wrote

Replying to Dottsterisk (#665,956)

> It might be assumed that the Russians took the money when they whacked Alonzo.

This is true. And nobody actually knew "the money" existed except for Alonzo's crew. So Jake basically has an invisible million.

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Bocephus8892 t1_ixqaihl wrote

Three Wise Men all turn state's evidence since the Feds get involved because it's a major police corruption case --- just read about the Rampart Scandal on which the movie is based

Plus, all those people in the hood that Alonzo threated to put "cases on" will testify that Alonzo was willing to kill Jake to take the money that night to pay off the Russian Mafia

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DrRexMorman t1_ixqanj1 wrote

>Three wise men

Did Jake meet them?

Does he know they are corrupt?

> What do you think happens to Jake and the money?

It’s a movie about cops in LA:

Jake turns the money in as evidence of Alonzo’s corruption.

He’s given a commendation and a promotion.

He becomes Alonzo or something worse.

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DrRexMorman t1_ixqb4dc wrote

Replying to HortonHearsTheWho (#666,343)

There we are.

Then Jake is probably put in charge of Alonzo’s team in exchange for turning in the cash and for (in/advertently) getting rid of Alonzo.

If I were to make a delayed sequel now, I’d show him sitting at the table.

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After_Hovercraft7822 t1_ixqdnqf wrote

Jake 1000% is taking the money in as evidence against Alonzo and his team.

Alonzo’s car has a ton of evidence against him, and Alonzo’s made enough enemies that day that would be happy to corroborate Jake’s report.

Alonzo stole money from Macy Gray’s house with a fake warrant. He robbed those kids buying weed. He hurt Snoop Dogg. And the Mexican gang didn’t seem to like Alonzo much either. Eva Mendes probably wouldn’t mind getting her and their son in to witness protection, either.

An investigation would find Roger’s arrest warrant was hastily made by one of 3 Wise Men with no evidence to support it, that Roger’s murder scene was staged, and that Alonzo’s crew each had a million dollars cash in their possession that could be tied to Roger.

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