Croupier Page #10

INT. CASINO - ROULETTE TABLE - NIGHT

JANI bets again on number 11. The MAN follows suit. The

wheel spins. JACK watches the table. JANI glances at him.

The MAN moves closer to the table to one side of JANI.

Concealed in his hand is a chip. As the ball bounces round

and lands again on number 11, the MAN deftly adds the chip

to the square. JACK clocks it.

JACK:

I'm sorry, sir, that's a late bet.

MAN:

(in Arabic accent)

What are you talking about? It's

11, I've won. With this lady.

JACK:

(carefully)

You've won with the two chips you

placed earlier, but the third chip

was a late bet.

MAN:

I put them on together.

JACK:

I'm afraid that's not so, sir.

REYNOLDS, who has been watching the tables, sees the

beginning of an incident. He comes over. The MAN is getting

angry. JANI watches.

MAN:

Now look here, you...

REYNOLDS:

Is there a problem, sir?

MAN:

Yes. This croupier is accusing me

of cheating.

JACK:

It was a late bet. This gentleman

has been following the lady's

numbers and...

The MAN interrupts JACK and touches JANI's arm.

MAN:

(to Jani)

Do you think I cheated?

JACK and REYNOLDS wait. JACK glances at JANI.

JANI:

In my opinion... it was a late

bet.

REYNOLDS:

I think we should talk about this,

sir. Away from the table.

MAN:

(angrily)

No. I won. I want to be paid.

He bangs his fist on the felt. JACK waits for REYNOLDS'S

decision. REYNOLDS looks at JACK.

REYNOLDS:

Pay the gentleman. In full.

REYNOLDS steps back, JACK pays out JANI and the MAN. The

MAN takes his winnings. He looks at JACK with hatred, then

leaves the table.

REYNOLDS watches him, looks to JACK and nods. JANI collects

her winnings and throws two chips to JACK. She stands up

to leave.

JACK:

I'm sorry, madam, we don't accept

gratuities in the UK. It's different

in South Africa.

JANI:

(surprised)

You know where I'm from?

JACK nods and gives her back the two chips.

JACK:

I've lived there.

JANI:

(sweetly)

Well, thank you anyway.

JACK watches her leave.

JACK'S VOICE

Bright woman, he thought. She knew

the rule of gold. Quit when you're

ahead.

JANI heads towards the cashier. JACK sees REYNOLDS arguing

with the irate ARABIC MAN near the entrance.

He looks back to the table.

JACK:

Place your bets.

On his way out the ARABIC MAN looks towards JACK and makes

an occult sign with his hand.

INT. CASINO - NIGHT

It is late. There are few PUNTERS left at the tables. JACK

tidies up his table, which is next to MATT's. He looks

across at MATT and sees the GREEK MAN who was at the table

the first night when MATT took over. The GREEK wins on a

number. MATT clears the table and counts out the GREEK'S

winnings, quickly and efficiently.

JACK stiffens. He sees that something is wrong. MATT moves

piles of chips across to the GREEK, who doesn't look up.

JACK glances in the direction of the hidden video cameras

and the crows' nest. REYNOLDS is in the back-ground, has

seen nothing untoward. JACK watches the GREEK pick up his

winnings and leave.

INT. BMW - NIGHT

Again MATT is driving JACK home.

JACK:

(hesitantly)

Look Matt, there's something I

have to say to you. I saw you

cheating.

MATT:

(violently)

What the f*** are you talking about?

JACK:

That Greek guy who won at the end.

You paid him out in 25s not 20s.

MATT:

(angry)

I don't cheat, Jack. You've got it

wrong.

JACK:

I'm not going to report it.

MATT slams on the brakes. The car comes to an abrupt stop.

MATT turns to JACK, furious.

MATT:

What are you, a cop?

JACK:

If I see you do it again, I'll

report it.

MATT:

I don't get you. Even if it was

true, which it isn't, what the

f*** difference would it make to

you?

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