Although he long knew he wanted to do so, Reed springs on Malloy at the last minute that he wants to go to the bank on their lunch break as on this payday, Reed needs to pay a loan. He figures this task will take him approximately fifteen minutes. Initially unknown to Malloy who is waiting in the squad car, Reed walks into the bank to an armed robbery in progress, he who becomes one of the several hostages, but who becomes the chief hostage due to his position as a police officer. Reed can tell that Cleve, the alpha male of the two robbers, will have no hesitation in killing him if pushed into a corner. But someone inside the bank is able to push the silent alarm, with Malloy obviously first on the scene and who is able to inform his fellow officers of Reed being inside. If Malloy can speak to the robbers, he may also in the process be able to find out Reed's condition. Reed believes the one thing on his side is the disparity between Cleve and the other robber, Wes, who is more concerned with self-preservation. But from the outside, things look bleak for Reed. Malloy, however, believes he may a plan, albeit a risky one, to save Reed while still nabbing the robbers.
—Huggo