Jimmy Valentine: A Short Story

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We all wish we could turn back the clock, do something different, for it's impossible to change what we've done, but not what we plan to do. Jimmy Valentine, master safe cracker and criminal, got busted and sent to prison for what was supposed to be a ten-year sentence. After just four months of his sentence, he was let out and went straight back to his old habits. Not long after getting out Jimmy comes across a girl that changes his life forever, but abstaining from his old ways would seem near impossible for him. Fortunate for Jimmy he’s honest about changing his life; he moved to a town, established a serious relationship, and was honest to himself and others about changing his ways, all to life a moral life.

Jimmy moved away from his …show more content…

Soon after seeing Annabel he writes to a friend saying he wishes to give up the business and that, “I want to make you a present of my kit of tools.” Jimmy was prepared to give up his tools in an effort to stop his safe cracking, without his thousands of dollars worth of hard to come by tools and gadgets he won't be able to crack any safes. While sending the letter telling his friend of his plans, he states that, “ It’s the only life, Billy -- the straight one. I wouldn't touch a dollar of another man’s money now for a million.” Knowing that no police are reading this letter you can tell that he isn't just writing it to confuse the cops, he’s being sincere. After revealing his identity in front of the detective Jimmy is quick to give himself up, “ Guess you're mistaken, Mr. Spencer,” he said, ” Don't believe I recognize you. Your buggies waiting for you, isn't it?” When Jimmy was willing to give himself up to Ben Price, Price realized too that he was being honest as to becoming clean. You have to stop lying to yourself in the first place, before you can …show more content…

Jimmy Valentine was about to give up his tools and if he had wanted to rob them, he wouldn't have rid himself of his tools. Jimmy was set on marrying Annabel. Jimmy Valentine is a master at cracking safes, he wouldn't have to marry Annabel in order to rob the bank. Jimmy never once had thoughts of betraying Annabel, since the story is in the third person, all of the thoughts of Jimmy Valentine are stated. If he had thought of betrayal the story would have stated so. A man that's as devoted as Jimmy, is the kind of man that can outgrow his old ways.
Jimmy Valentine persevered and through relocating, Annabel, and being honest about changing his ways he was able to live a moral life. Master safe cracker to married, shoe company owner, even the worst people can change. While we aren’t able to change the past we can still change ourselves , here in the

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