Croupier Page #11

JACK:

Because if a supervisor knew I'd

seen you and I hadn't reported it,

I'd lose my job as well. And I

can't afford that.

MATT:

So it's Mr Clean. Wise up, Jack,

this whole business is bent. The

casino is nothing but legal theft.

And that's OK. It's the system.

Half the punters who come in are

using stolen money, drug money,

they haven't earned it. We earn

our money.

(softens)

I'm on your side, Jack. I don't

need an enemy.

JACK:

You're talking about complicity.

MATT:

I don't know what that means. I'm

talking about not rocking the boat.

MATT holds out his hand for JACK. JACK shakes it. MATT

grins.

MATT:

OK, now let's unwind.

He puts the car into gear and drives off.

JACK'S VOICE

Matt was an escape artist. Like

Jack's father.

EXT. GREEK RESTAURANT - NIGHT

MATT's car pulls up in the parking lot at the back of the

restaurant. He and JACK get out of the car and go through

the open kitchen door.

INT. GREEK RESTAURANT - KITCHEN - NIGHT

The kitchen is full of people, some involved in cooking,

some standing around smoking and drinking, mostly Greek.

MATT:

Hey, Andros!

He shakes hands with a GUY who looks like the owner.

MATT:

This is Jack.

JACK shakes hands too. They cross the kitchen and go through

a bead curtain. Piped Greek music is playing.

INT. RESTAURANT - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

A smoke-filled private dining room. There is a poker game

in Progress. FIVE MEN are playing, a DOZEN GIRLS are dotted

about watching. There is a trestle table laden with Greek

food, from stews to salad, buffet-style. An improvised bar

with ouzo, vodka and wine. It's help-yourself.

JACK:

Who are these guys?

MATT:

Mostly people in the casino

business. A few drug dealers.

JACK:

And the girls?

MATT:

Just girls. What are you drinking?

JACK:

Vodka. Straight. On the rocks.

MATT:

Good call. Help yourself.

JACK pours himself a vodka, scoops up some ice with his

hand from a bucket. Clouds of smoke envelop him. The noise

is close to deafening.

JACK:

Does Bella come here?

MATT:

That b*tch? No.

INT. RESTAURANT - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

The poker game. A MAN with fair hair gets up, kisses a

GIRL whose dress is a bathing suit, puts his arm round her

and they wander off. MATT is at the table. JACK is

replenishing his vodka.

MATT:

Hey Jack, join us.

JACK:

No thanks.

MATT:

(laughs)

Don't worry, I won't report you!

JACK:

I don't gamble.

GIRL appears behind JACK's shoulder.

GIRL:

You don't gamble, but do you smoke?

The GIRL has a joint in her over-ringed hand. She is dressed

in purple Indian cotton.

JACK:

Sometimes.

GIRL:

(hands him the

smoking joint)

How about now?

She blows smoke in his face. JACK drains his vodka, pours

himself another.

INT. RESTAURANT - LAVATORY - NIGHT

JACK comes into the Gents, another smoke-filled room. Three

or four MEN are arguing over a drug deal, standing in front

of the urinal. One of them has an envelope full of cash,

another a packet of drugs.

JACK goes to a lavatory stall, opens the door. In the stall

the fair-haired MAN who was at Matt's table is sitting on

the lavatory, his trousers round his ankles. The GIRL in

the bathing suit is sitting on his thighs, bobbing up and

down. JACK sees a butterfly tattoo on her left cheek, the

Queen of Spades.

JACK'S VOICE

Marion. I'm on my way...

INT. RESTAURANT - DINING ROOM - NIGHT

JACK puts his arm on MATT's shoulder at the poker table.

JACK:

I'm off. I need to sleep.

MATT:

Loosen up, Jack. If you don't,

this job'll get to you. The

pressure's too much, believe me,

it'll break you.

JACK:

"The world breaks everyone, and

afterwards many are strong in the

broken places." Ernest Hemingway.

JACK turns and leaves, helping himself to another drink.

MATT:

Wasn't he the one who shot himself?

INT. JACK'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

JACK comes to the flat. He is drunk. He starts across the

dark room. Suddenly the light comes on. JACK turns to see

MARION, sitting in a chair in her night-dress.

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