In June of 2010, a federal judge gave John Thomas a second chance. He had admitted his guilt in a billboard leasing scam in New York City and worked as an informant for the FBI in Chicago, helping the feds convict political powerbroker Tony Rezko and Alderman Ike Carothers. Maybe, just maybe, his contrition and cooperation would allow him to avoid a trip to federal prison. The strategy worked.

During Chapter 3, "The Scorpion and The Frog" -- Thomas tests the patience of the federal judge who gave him a second chance.