Croupier Page #8

JACK:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

A fat INDIAN PUNTER addresses JACK.

INDIAN:

Where's the other fellow? Where's

Geoff?

JACK:

He doesn't work here any more.

INDIAN:

Well, let's hope you know your

job.

A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN trying to look as young as possible

throws 100 pounds in cash to JACK.

WOMAN:

Tens, please.

She turns to the WOMAN next to her, who looks very similar.

WOMAN 2

Perhaps this man will bring us

luck.

The WOMAN has sensed her friend's interest in JACK. She's

jealous.

WOMAN:

(to Jack)

What's that aftershave you're

wearing?

JACK'S VOICE

Never converse with the punters.

It slows things down. Speed is

volume, and volume is profit for

the casino. Aim at twenty spins an

hour.

JACK pretends he hasn't heard the question. In the

background REYNOLDS is watching as JACK spins the wheel.

JACK:

Last bets, please.

INT. CASINO - ROULETTE TABLE - NIGHT

Later. A plastic-looking BLONDE WOMAN, heavily made-up,

sits at the table. She nods to JACK. PUNTERS are placing

their bets. She has 50 casino chips of £100 denominations

in front of her. JACK notes the large sum.

The BLONDE puts £2,500 on red and £2,500 on black. PUNTERS

round the table are astonished at the size of the bet and

the strangeness of betting both red and black.

JACK spins the wheel. Black 10 comes up. JACK takes the

red loss and moves it across the table to the black win.

The BLONDE picks up the £5,000 without a reaction and leaves

the table.

JACK notices that she goes straight to the cashier's desk.

JACK clears the chips away, starts to pay out.

A WHITE-HAIRED MAN on JACK's right speaks to him:

MAN:

You're new here. You'll get used

to Madame Claude. She comes in

once or twice a week and does that.

JACK nods.

JACK'S VOICE

He knew the scam. Come in with

five grand cash. No questions asked.

Launder it by getting a casino

cheque when you cash in. Jack

wondered why Mr Reynolds permitted

it? After all there's was no profit

in it for the casino. Or was there?

INT. CASINO - ROULETTE TABLE - NIGHT

Later. A different set of PUNTERS. The wheel spins. A GREEK

MAN sits at the table. He doesn't attempt to bet. He looks

around to see a CROUPIER in his late 20's waiting to replace

JACK at the wheel. This is MATT. He gives JACK a curious

complicitous smile. JACK collects the chips and pays out.

JACK:

Thank you very much, ladies and

gentlemen. I'm going to hand you

over now to my colleague. Goodnight.

MATT takes over.

MATT:

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

REYNOLDS appears and takes JACK'S arm.

REYNOLDS:

(quietly)

Good work, Jack. You handled

yourself well.

At the table, MATT glances at the GREEK man.

INT. CASINO - BLACKJACK TABLE - NIGHT

JACK is now dealing to FIVE PUNTERS. He has a 10 and a 5

exposed for the house. TWO PLAYERS go bust. ONE PLAYER

sticks on 19, the next on 20. The LAST PLAYER buys a card

for 21. JACK turns over an ace for the house. He twists

again. It's a 5 - making 21. The two losing PLAYERS groan.

The LAST PLAYER is paid evens for equalling the house. One

of the PLAYERS who's gone bust gets up, having lost all

his chips, and leaves.

JACK'S VOICE

Suddenly a delayed wave of elation

came over him.

INT. CASINO - NIGHT

Across the casino an Oriental man, MR TCHAI, is walking

towards the table with REYNOLDS. Behind him is a 6 foot 5

bulging BODYGUARD. REYNOLDS comes up to JACK's table.

REYNOLDS:

Why don't you take a break, Jack.

JACK:

(puzzled)

All right, Mr Reynolds.

He moves his chair back, nods at the remaining PLAYERS. MR

TCHAI sits down, watched by the BODYGUARD.

BELLA comes up, smiles sweetly, and takes over from JACK.

BELLA:

Good evening, Mr Tchai.

MR TCHAI:

Good evening.

TCHAI pulls out a sealed bank packet of £5,000.

REYNOLDS:

Enjoy yourself, Mr Tchai.

REYNOLDS waves to a WAITRESS who comes over.

WAITRESS:

(to Mr Tchai)

Your usual, sir?

TCHAI nods. He hands her a £50 note.

WAITRESS:

Thank you, sir. Enjoy your game.

JACK'S VOICE

£50 for a diet Coke. Waitresses

were the true winners in the casino.

They were the only members of staff

allowed to accept tips. On a good

night they could get between £200

and £300.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote