Croupier Page #4

REYNOLDS:

(impressed)

Very good.

INT. CASINO - DAY

Now at a roulette table, REYNOLDS has prepared the bets

for fifteen punters. It's a set-up to test Jack's style

and concentration. REYNOLDS gives JACK the white ball.

JACK:

You use two alternating, don't

you?

REYNOLDS:

We do.

(hands him a second

ball)

JACK:

(hesitates)

Where's the magnet?

REYNOLDS:

They've been tested.

JACK spins the wheel, throws the ball against the turn.

JACK:

No more bets.

As the ball begins to bounce, but before it stops, REYNOLDS

turns to a CLEANING LADY who's emptying some ashtrays

nearby.

REYNOLDS:

Could you stop that for a minute?

The WOMAN looks up, surprised. JACK watches, then catches

sight of REYNOLDS surreptitiously moving a chip onto the

third line.

JACK:

I'm sorry, sir, I've called no

more bets.

JACK reaches across, takes the chip and puts it on the

wood Grounding the wheel. REYNOLDS nods approvingly. The

ball stops.

JACK:

23 Red. Odd.

He now rakes away the losers' chips and pays out the

smallest first, before getting to the major pay-out on 23.

It's all very efficient and speedy.

REYNOLDS is increasingly impressed.

REYNOLDS:

Haven't you forgotten something?

JACK:

(thinks)

I don't think so.

REYNOLDS:

Wipe your hands.

JACK takes out a handkerchief.

REYNOLDS:

Not with your own cloth. Besides,

your pockets will be stitched.

JACK:

What happens if I want to sneeze?

REYNOLDS:

You won't. Not without permission.

JACK laughs. REYNOLDS smiles. They like each other.

REYNOLDS:

Fine. Now let's move on.

INT. CASINO - DAY

A blackjack table. JACK is turning cards over for five

punters in an arc. REYNOLDS is moving from one chair to

the next playing each of the five hands.

REYNOLDS:

How many aces are left?

JACK:

Five.

REYNOLDS:

I make it six.

JACK:

Five.

REYNOLDS looks down at the table.

REYNOLDS:

What makes you so sure?

JACK:

It's a rule. Always stand by your

first count. The odds are you're

right.

REYNOLDS:

Good call.

JACK pulls out the shoe.

JACK:

You want me to check?

REYNOLDS:

(irritably)

I said good call.

REYNOLDS walks away. JACK puts the shoe back. He takes his

watch out of his pocket, glances at it.

JACK'S VOICE

It had taken him 45 minutes, but

Jack now had Mr Reynolds's number.

The man couldn't count.

INT. CASINO - OFFICE - DAY

Back in the office REYNOLDS is talking to JACK. On

REYNOLDS'S desk is a framed photograph of his suburban

wife and two kids.

REYNOLDS:

Let me just run through a few

things. As a dealer you never

gamble, not anywhere. We'll need

your picture.

JACK:

What for?

REYNOLDS:

For the database. It can be accessed

by every casino in the country. We

have the same system for punters.

JACK:

I don't gamble.

REYNOLDS:

Ever?

JACK:

I don't gamble, Mr Reynolds.

REYNOLDS doesn't pursue it.

REYNOLDS:

Next point. Friendships between

croupiers inside or outside the

casino are discouraged.

Relationships with females working

here are expressly forbidden.

JACK:

We had the same rule at Sun City,

but it was impossible to check.

REYNOLDS:

This isn't South Africa. We'd know,

because someone would report it.

Believe me, someone always does.

JACK:

Does know? Or does report? What

would happen if I knew something

like that and didn't report it?

REYNOLDS:

We'd know. There are no secrets in

this casino. You'd be punished.

JACK:

How?

REYNOLDS:

First offence:
verbal warning.

Second offence:
written warning.

That one's filed and sometimes

copied to the Gaming Board. My

discretion. Third offence: you're

sacked on the spot. You'd never

work in a casino in this country

again. There's another rule: you're

forbidden to talk to or recognise

a punter outside the casino. If

you see someone who's gambled here,

even if it's just casually on the

street, you must ignore him. Or

her. You're not married, are you?

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