Croupier Page #2

What's the book price?

That's not relevant.

Old car like this.

Depends on the condition.

'The car was a gift

from Jack's father.

'That's to say,

Jack Sr gave it to him

'before the bailiffs arrived.'

And this ain't exactly

what you call mint.

How about 1500?

- How about 500?

- What?.

How about we split the difference?

Is that your idea of arithmetic?.

I'm not a mathematician.

I'm in business.

'He suddenly wanted to be rid of it.

'Hang on tightly, let go lightly.

'Jack imagined people

reading his book.

'One day he would

get into their heads.

'Play with their imaginations.

'Test their feelings.

'He would tell them, you have

to make the choice in life.

'Be a gambler, or a croupier.

'And then live with your

decision, come what may.'

(Radio on)

'Marion saw life differently.

'She was a romantic.

And thought he was, too.'

(Radio) 'You voted for them

'and now you can hear them every

day between nine and ten

'here on Classic FM.'

(Music begins)

I couldn't resist them.

You mean I won't resist them.

No.

I'm not ready for you.

There's some vodka in the freezer.

- You want me drunk?

- I won't take that long!

(Church bell chimes)

Jack.

Wow.

You really are a beautiful woman.

It's not just inner beauty, is it?.

Turn around.

You're all I desire.

- Where did you get it?.

- I sold the car.

You shouldn't have done that.

I know what it meant to you.

I owe you for the rent.

It's only a car. I can get another.

- Take it back.

- No.

Till you sell your book.

Marion, let's face the truth.

Nobody is gonna publish it.

Of course they are.

You just have to be patient.

I'm betting on you.

I'm not much of a bet.

You are to me.

Come into my world.

You're my prisoner.

I've got something to tell you.

- I wanna hear it.

- I've got a job.

(Sighs)

- What job?

- In a casino.

As a croupier. Dealer.

How did you land that?.

It came my way. 450 a week.

450?

What did you do? Walk in and

say, I want to be a croupier?.

- Don't you need training?

- I had training.

In the Republic.

You were a croupier there?

You never told me that.

I thought you just knew

some gamblers.

- I start Monday week.

- 450 a week?

I've never earned that in my life.

You're an enigma, you are.

A f***ing enigma.

'I'm not an enigma.

Just a contradiction.'

You sold the car.

You've got a job.

What's the third thing?

Tell me.

There's no third thing.

Don't be superstitious.

I love you, Jack. You know that.

'And he half-loved Marion.

And she knew that, too.'

You trying to read my palm?

You've got such beautiful hands.

'The hands of a conjurer,

a woman told him once.

'Or a cardsharp.'

D'you work round here?

My office is in Shanghai.

- What do you do?

- I'm an arms dealer.

So, what line of work

are you in, then?

I'm an undertaker.

Really?

(Woman) Place your bets,

please.

- Jack Manfred.

- Jack Manfred. Table three.

And you have a new dealer.

Thank you.

'Usual bunch.

'They didn't know Jack,

but he knew them.'

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Where's the other fellow?

Where's Geoff?

- Where's Geoff?

- He's been re-assigned, sir.

Let's hope you know

how to do you job.

In fives.

Change.

What aftershave are you using?

'Never converse with the punters.

It slows things down.'

Money down.

'Speed is volume.

Volume is profit for the casino.

'Aim at 40 spins an hour.'

Place your bets, please.

No more bets. Thank you.

(Ball drops)

10 black.

'Ooh, the scab.

'Come in with three grand cash,

no questions asked.

'Launder it by getting a

casino cheque when you cash in.

'Jack wondered why

Mr Reynolds permitted it.

'There was no profit

in it for the casino.'

Place your bets, please.

'Or was there? '

13. Too many.

16. Too many.

15. Too many.

12. Too many.

11 double.

Blackjack.

'A wave of elation came over him.

'He was hooked again.'

Place your bets, please.

'Watching people lose.'

New dealer.

- Evening, gentlemen.

- Good evening.

Jack.

Good work.

Keep it up.

Colour change.

Place your bets, please.

(Toilet flushes)

(Man on TV)

'Don't give me that sob story.'

(Woman on TV) 'That's a lie.'

(Man) 'You've been secretly

seeing Charlie for years.'

(Woman) 'Stop it!'

(Man) 'I won't.'

I'm Bella.

Jack Manfred.

Hi, Jack.

Welcome to the cesspit.

Is it that bad?

(Tyres screech on TV)

(Gunfire on TV)

How do I look?

'Like trouble, Bella.'

You look fine.

Tits in a uniform. Punters love it.

Your usual, sir.

Thank you, sir.

'50 quid for a Diet Coke.

'Waitresses were the

true winners in a casino.

'The only members of staff

allowed to accept tips.'

Thank you, Jack.

Enjoy yourself, Mr Tchai.

'On a good night they could get

200 or 300 quid.'

- Good evening, Mr Tchai.

- Evening.

Mr Tchai always likes

to sit at that table.

And only with Bella.

Does he win?

He's a good customer.

'A good customer

is a consistent loser.

'But is that what he meant?. '

(Toilet flushes)

- Where d'you live, Jack?

- Over the river.

- You got transport?.

- No.

I'm going over the river.

I'll give you a lift if you like.

Nice one. Thanks.

(Thumping music)

(Tyres screech)

So how d'you feel -

your first night on the job?

Bet you're on a high.

- Nice car.

- She's my baby.

How long have you worked

at the casino?

Coming up to two years now.

But I was away for six months.

Looks like you've done pretty well.

Not bad.

I have other interests, of course.

Listen, I'm off to

a little watering hole.

Have a few drinks. Relax.

- Want to join me?

- No thanks.

I'm gonna go home.

I need my eight hours.

I bet you five to one

you won't get any sleep.

You've got to unwind

in this job, Jack,

or it'll kill you.

- I mean that.

- Some other time.

(Voices in street)

- What time is it?.

- No idea.

- How did it go?

- Yeah. Fine.

You're shaking.

- What is it?.

- It's just tension.

- It'll go.

- Poor baby.

This'll relax you.

- I loved it blonde.

- Look, it's only hair.

I haven't changed.

When you come home, I'm asleep.

When I leave home, you're asleep.

Mmm.

Bye.

I'll see you in my dreams.

(Fruit machines beeping)

20 fives.

Change.

Money down.

Place your bets, please.

(Wheel spins)

(Woman) Two, six, 13.

Two, six, 13.

'Jack could see this woman

was an experienced gambler.

'Professionals always place bets

through the croupier.

'That way there are no comebacks.'

(Woman) One, five, 16.

And the neighbours.

One, five, 16 and the neighbours.

No more bets. Thank you.

(Ball drops)

13 black.

Eight seven five.

Place your bets, please.

- Two, six, 13.

- Two, six, 13.

- Two, six, 13.

- Two, six, 13.

- Orphans.

- Orphans by 25. 125 the bet.

- Orphans.

- Orphans by five.

One, five, 16 and the neighbours.

One, five, 16 and the neighbours.

No more bets. Thank you.

(Wheel spins)

34 red. No, I'm sorry, sir.

That's a late bet.

What are you talking about?.

34. I won with this lady.

No. You've won with the chips

you placed earlier,

but the bet on 34 was a late bet.

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