Hard Eight

What?

You want a cup of coffee?

You want a cigarette?

What?

I'm a guy that's offering

to give you a cigarette...

buy you a cup of coffee.

What's your name?

John.

Sydney.

You wanna see the menus?

No, I don't think so.

Come from Vegas? Reno?

From Vegas.

You lost some money?

You won some money.

I broke even.

What were you playing?

Blackjack.

You know how to count cards?

What?

You said you were playing blackjack.

Do you know how to count cards?

In my experience,

if you don't know how to count cards...

you oughta stay away

from blackjack.

Thanks for the tip, Mr. Helpful.

Hey, John.

- What?

John, we're sitting here. I bought you

a cup of coffee, gave you a cigarette.

Look at me.

You wanna be a wise-ass,

go outside and take a seat.

If you wanna talk to me...

well, then...

Never ignore a man's courtesy.

Let's talk about Vegas.

Let's talk about

what happened to you.

Because something did happen.

Maybe I can help.

You wanna help me?

You look like you could use a friend.

- You wanna be my friend?

Then give me $6,000.

Do you have that?

Can you give a total stranger $6,000?

Because that's my trouble.

Okay?

What do you need $6,000 for?

- I need it.

For what?

To bury my mother.

- You went to Vegas to win some money

- No, I went to lose some money.

You went to win some money

to bury your mother?

To pay for her funeral?

That is very admirable.

I admire the intention.

I can't say it's wise, though.

Do you have $6,000

to give me?

No. I can't.

I didn't think so.

Isn't there someone who could

Family?

There's no one else.

It's me.

I'm alone.

That's it, okay?

There you go.

That gonna be it?

Yeah, I think so.

Thank you.

How much money

do you have left?

Nothing.

If I were to give you $50,

what would you do with it?

I'd eat.

How long can you eat

How long can you live on $50?

I don't know.

I would bet...

not very long.

You would bet?

I tell you what.

You come with me back to Vegas.

I'll loan you $50

and show you what you did wrong.

Why?

What are you, man?

You think you're St. Francis

or something?

No, I don't think

I'm St. Francis.

Are you looking for a fag?

I'm not some boy hooker,

if that's what you're after.

I'm not looking

for a hooker, John.

I'm offering you a ride.

I'm offering to teach you

something.

Well, I'm telling you something

right now... I don't suck dick.

I understand that,

and this is the last time I'll ask.

You want my help?

I'll f*** you up

if you f*** with me.

I know three types of karate...

jujitsu, aikido and regular karate.

Okay.

All right.

A You give me a ride.

Two... You give me 50 bucks.

C I sit in the back.

Believe me, if you pull anything

I will f*** you up.

I believe you.

This is a nice ride, actually.

Comfortable.

Can you pull over

for a second?

Can I get a cigarette?

Thanks.

The lighter doesn't work.

Here.

No, thanks.

The lighter doesn't work.

I heard you.

I just don't use matches.

Wanna hold the wheel a minute

so I can light mine?

Thanks.

You gonna smoke that?

Why don't you use these matches?

- It's just a rule with me.

I don't use matches.

Why not?

I had a really bad experience once

and I promised I'd never use 'em again.

Tell me.

You know those big monster

books of matches?

Those big daddy ones

with, like, 40 matches in 'em?

I had one of those in my pocket once

and they lit on fire, exploded.

Huh.

Matches just went off?

Yeah, it had something to do

with spontaneous friction, I guess.

They just went off.

I'm standing in line for a movie

and all of the sudden

Like that!

Scared the sh*t out of me.

I had a third-degree burn on my leg

this close to my dick.

That was a brandnew

pair of jeans too.

I thought about suing

that matchbook company too.

What are you gonna do,

you know?

Things happen.

This happens, that happens.

Sh*t just happens.

You deal with it.

John, I'm gonna loan you 50 bucks...

so why don't you tell me

what you're gonna do with it.

You asked me before...

You could take it

and play it a certain way...

long enough and hard enough

to get a bed and a meal.

You're not gonna win $6,000,

though.

I can assure you of that.

Well, if you show me

how to do that

how to get a meal and a bed-

then I'll do that.

If you wanna show me.

First thing, go in the bathroom

and clean yourself up.

The attendant has a razor you can use.

Yeah, but I'm growing a beard.

Once you're done,

find me in the bar.

- How's that?

- Much cleaner.

Okay?

Much better.

So, what now?

I lied when I said 50.

You're gonna need 150.

- I knew it.

Just relax, John.

Listen.

Are you listening?

Go over to that woman

in the cashier's cage...

and ask her

for the floor man.

She'll point to a guy in a tuxedo

the floor man.

You find this guy and say...

John Finnegan.

So, anyway,

I just flew into town and...

I'm gonna be playing

in this casino.

I like this place.

I'm gonna be spending

some money.

I hope I win some money

and...

I just need someone to keep track

of what I'm spending...

'cause I'm an impulsive gambler.

Can I get a rate card?

I got it.

He gave it to me.

Good.

Take this $150

to that cashier...

and cash it in

for dollar tokens.

He'll note on the rate card...

the amount you've cashed

and the time of day.

I'd like 150 in dollar tokens.

Here's my rate card.

- There we are. Good luck.

- Thanks a lot.

Now find a slot machine.

Find one that's off to the side a bit

but don't go unseen by the floor man.

Sit at that machine

and play $20.

Only 20, so make it last.

Play slowly,

one dollar at a time.

- Did you order a drink?

- Huh?

Did you order a drink?

Oh, yeah. They're free.

It'll turn out to be

a $150 cocktail.

Don't drink.

Okay. Sorry.

It's all right.

- Did you finish that 20?

Almost.

Get your stuff.

Come with me.

Give the cashier $100 in tokens.

She'II give you cash.

Get a bill.

I'd like to cash these in, please.

Would you like a bill

or some 20s?

A bill.

- All right.

- There you are.

- Thank you.

Now give this cashier

the bill and the rate card.

Ask for more tokens.

I'd like another $100 in tokens.

There's my rate card.

There's a hundred. Good luck.

- Thank you.

So, how much do you have

on your rate card now?

Well, I cashed 150 first,

and then another 100.

So, 250.

And you have only spent $20.

Just keep circling the bill,

John.

Cash to tokens,

tokens to cash.

Now, slowly spend

what's left of the 50.

That's just for show

when the floor man comes around.

Do it for an hour.

Take a break.

Do it again for an hour,

and so on.

- See you around.

Where?

I'll find you.

Look.

I started with half that.

We're not as lucky.

We're losing big time.

You are? Huh.

I haven't been playing that one.

Put a lot in here, though.

I'd like to cash these in again

for a bill.

Good luck.

Oh, well.

I need a bucket!

I need a bucket!

Guess who.

Pretty big investment here.

I need another 300

in tokens, please.

Good luck.

Yeah, I'll need it.

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