If there were no external influences, the story between Bennett and the stripper Annie would simply happen between the two of them. Perhaps this story might become one of the countless treasures buried by sand in the riverbed of history.
Many years later, perhaps people would have the opportunity to learn about this story filled with warmth and redemption through a diary or some oral accounts, making it known to the public.
Filmmakers would love this theme; they could use the phrase "Based on a true story" to draw countless teenagers and middle-aged men into the cinemas, leaving them in tears or laughter, and of course with their wallets emptied.
Many more years later, people might list all the classic films from the past century, and it could be amongst them, becoming a film that most filmmakers cannot ignore — "Annie's Redemption."
If...
There are too many ifs. If there were really ifs, this world would have been perfect long ago.