Croupier Page #20

JANI puts her skirt over a chair and goes into the bathroom.

She doesn't close the door. JACK continues undressing.

From a hold-all he removes a pair of pajamas. He glances

at the open bathroom door, then climbs into his pajamas.

He has two ugly bruises on his chest from the fight with

the ARABIC MAN.

JANI comes out of the bathroom naked. She sees his body.

JANI:

What happened?

JACK:

Remember the guy who cheated at

the table?

JANI:

You don't like cheats, do you.

She walks across to her case, opens it, rummages around

and takes out a nightie. This, without the slightest hint

of embarrassment. JACK goes into the bathroom to brush his

teeth. JANI climbs into bed.

JANI:

Which side do you like?

JACK:

(calling)

You choose.

They get into bed.

JANI:

That trick tonight, I don't think

I've ever seen that before.

JACK:

It can only work with amateurs, A

pro would have spotted it.

JANI:

I didn't.

JACK:

Then you're not a pro.

JANI leans over and turns off the lamp. Her hair brushes

JACK'S face.

JANI:

Goodnight.

INT. COUNTRY HOUSE - NIGHT

In the deserted hall is a nineteenth century painting, a

copy of Gericault's 'Raft of the Medusa'. The picture light

illuminates the group of men and women, clinging to the

raft and to each other.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

JANI'S VOICE

Jack...? I need your help...

JACK wakes drowsily.

JANI:

I'm in trouble.

JACK:

What kind of trouble?

JANI:

I owe a lot of money.

JACK:

Was that why you did the two grand?

I couldn't help you.

JANI:

I know that. But you can now.

JACK:

I don't have any money. switches

on the light. JANI is looking

distressed.

JANI:

Some people I know, they're planning

to rob The Golden Lion.

JACK sits up, turns on the lamp.

JACK:

You don't mean that.

JANI pulls up the bedcover around her body.

JANI:

They mean it.

JACK:

Who's they?

JANI:

My creditors. One night, around

three in the morning, they'll come

into the casino -

JACK:

(interrupting)

Forget it, Jani. It'll never work.

JANI:

The point is, they want a man

inside.

JACK:

(laughs)

And I thought you were a bright

woman.

JANI:

Just listen. You don't have to do

anything criminal.

JACK:

(smiles)

Robbery's not criminal?

JACK gets out of bed, tours the room.

JANI:

You don't have to be criminal. A

man will come up to your table and

deliberately cheat. You'll see

him, stop him, and the guy will

make a big scene. There'll be chaos.

And that's when it'll happen.

JACK:

You're serious.

JANI:

You won't be committing a crime.

The man will cheat, you'll just be

doing your job, that's all.

JACK comes right up close to JANI in bed.

JACK:

And I thought you were only after

my body.

JANI:

I've come to know you. You're

honest.

(takes his hand)

I trust you.

JACK:

What'll you do when it all goes

wrong?

JANI:

It won't.

JACK:

But if it does.

JANI:

You keep the ten thousand pounds.

JACK:

What ten thousand pounds?

JANI gets out of bed.

JANI:

These people will pay you ten

thousand before and ten thousand

after. They want someone they can

be sure of, an honest dealer. That's

the point. Not all dealers are

honest. Mr Reynolds will never

suspect you.

JACK:

Reynolds? You've done your research.

She puts her hand on his.

JANI:

I didn't know what else to do.

You're my last chance.

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