Lay the Favorite

This film contains very strong language

MUSIC: Unskinny Bop by Poison

MOANING MAN: Unbelievable.

I can't hold it much longer.

SHE GASPS

You've almost got the record.

Come on, 20 more seconds. Hold on tight...

I think I'm about to pass out!

-I can't!

-MAN LAUGHS

-Oh!

-SHE GASPS AND GIGGLES

Oh! Oh...

Mm! Oh, my God! This is so good!

I put a little Cointreau in. That's the secret.

Mm... I have to go in a minute. Do you want a dance?

Yeah. SHE GIGGLES

SONG CONTINUES

VOLUME INCREASES

SONG CONTINUES PLAYING

You're a fucking hot one, ain't ya?

Oh, I'm OK.

SONG FADES OUT

Check us out.

Can you...put that away? You're scaring me.

Well, you should be scared.

It's a healthy reaction to a big-ass gun like this.

Yeah.

-OK.

-SHE CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY

I'm going to go now. Our time's up.

I guess you've got to go.

OK.

I enjoy your company!

-I hope you come back!

-Get me out of here.

OK, Otis, we're going.

We are going, right now. Come on, honey.

-Hi, Dad.

-Beth! Bethanana...

-Hey.

-Hello.

OK, what's up?

I need to do something else.

What's wrong with the pet sitting?

I never knew anyone could make so much off that.

Yeah, the money's good,

but the pets are not always that nice.

I'm burned out.

Take it from me, now is not the time to put down a good job.

You still haven't found anything?

No, nobody's buying cars. Hell, they're barely making them.

Well, it's more than just my job.

I need, like, a big change.

I have to, I don't know...

I want stimulation.

And I want good money.

And I want a change of scenery that's interesting.

OK... OK, let me think if I know anybody over at the mall.

Yeah, that's not going to do it.

I want to move to Las Vegas and be a cocktail waitress.

Beth Anne...

Goddamn, that is a great idea! SHE LAUGHS

Wow! Yeah, oh... Caesars Palace.

-That's where you got to get in!

-Caesars would be amazing!

Oh!

-I think the hot plate works.

-I'll take it.

SLOT MACHINE MUSIC PLAYS

Go! Go... Oh, so close.

Go! Yes... Oh! Oh.

Please... Go on!

Hey. I advise you to stop playing this thing.

Why? Am I in trouble or something?

No, no. It's just... You seem like a nice girl,

-and flip is for retards.

-Oh... OK.

-Thank you.

-No problem. Have a nice evening.

Hey, wait.

Do you know where I could find a job as a cocktail waitress?

You pretty much have to grab the tray

at the exact second one of these golden girls kicks the bucket.

This is a union town.

Take it easy.

Huh.

WOMAN LAUGHS

POP MUSIC PLAYS

Why don't you strip? It's good money.

Yeah, I don't think I want to do that.

You've done it before, right?

Why do you say that?

-Cos it's kind of obvious.

-It is? Really?

SCOFFS Just to us girls in the club.

Ugh!

I just want to do something exciting and different.

-I came here to...

-Yeah, change everything.

Hey, Holly, what about Dink?

-What's Dink?

-Doesn't he need anybody?

Well, that's kind of...

You know, I kind of need to know someone before I send them to Dink.

It requires a great deal of trustworthiness.

Oh, my God, you guys... I am super trustworthy.

All right.

-Hi.

-Hi. Are you Dink?

I am Dink, yes. You must be Beth. Come in.

So, how much do you know about gambling?

Uh... I played some flip-it the other night...

How'd you do?

I was told it was for retards, but I got really into it.

How am I going to trust you with my money?

-You're going to rob me and go play flip-it all night?

-No, I'm not.

Come on, I need this Louisiana game to stay under...

-Not for a little.

-So, you're a bookie.

Absolutely not. Bookmaking's illegal.

I'm a gambler.

Everything I do here is completely legal in the state of Nevada.

So, do you play poker or blackjack?

Some poker. Blackjack, not really gambling.

It's just no skill, no odds.

Just a racket for the casinos to make money.

My dad played a lot of blackjack.

Sorry to hear that.

Ah, this San Francisco line is way too high.

Here, look at something. You see that little patch of yellow skin right there?

-Nope.

-Well, maybe not in this light.

Anyway, I make my lines. Then I compare them to the books.

-To the books?

-Sports books.

A sports book is where you go to make a bet on a sporting game.

You can do that here in Vegas,

or you can do it online overseas, but I've got to do it here.

So, I've got to send guys that run and take the money down there

and make the bets for me.

Maybe that's something you could do if you come down here to work.

I can't believe you can't see this little yellow mark.

So, I specialise in horse racing,

hockey and baseball, but we bet on all sports here.

-Can I?

-NFL, NBA, the PGA,

NCAA Football, NCAA Basketball,

tennis, the WNBA,

Little League World Series,

the National Spelling Bee Competition,

the Miss America Beauty Pageant,

the...Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Pretty much anything on which odds can be made.

That is a lot of stuff.

Yes, but all I have to do is make 55%,

and I am very, very happy.

MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY It's about time!

-You're both late.

-Construction!

-Hi...

-Beth, say hi to Frankie and Scott.

Hey, do not fall in love with me.

-OK.

-Don't believe a word he says.

Frankie is a much better person than he seems.

Scott, on the other hand, is the sensible one.

If you ever need me for something and I'm busy...

I'm going to bet this seven horse.

First time starter. Could be a total zero.

-New York's moving big time.

-Call Jazz.

I wish you guys weren't late.

-One-six-four Ivy sixth race.

-Let's say for three dimes.

-That's three-eight-six...

-Minus the 0-nine for a dime.

Yep, one nickel heads up on the nose.

-What have you got on New York?

-One-six-four Ivy.

PHONE RINGS

OK, here's what just happened in New York.

They're moving their line, so now we're trying to move our lines accordingly

to adjust for a couple of outs that haven't moved their lines yet.

-Uh!

-You understand?

-Uh-uh.

The rules at Dink Inc

are responsibility to come on time is job number one.

Number two, keep your head around the numbers.

You've got to learn the numbers.

Very important to get the numbers down, OK?

Rule number three, do not steal.

Most people fail at one of those.

-Is that a guinea pig?

-That is my hamster, Jyrki.

I named him Jyrki Lumme

after the defenseman from Vancouver Canucks.

-Aw...

-And that is my wife, Tulip.

She's on a cruise in the Bahamas right now.

Dinky, Dinky. This nag you bet on is coming up fast! Dink!

-Go, go, go...

-Wow, wow, wow...

Come on! Come on, Slippery!

Come on! THEY SHOUT ENCOURAGEMENT

Go, go, go, go, go!

ALL SHOUT EXCITEDLY

-Who is a genius?

-You won!

You're a genius!

-You won!

-Genius.

Just like that. Wow.

I have to pay attention to this now.

Uh... Meet me at the sports book at the Rio.

8am sharp, OK? Do you need some money?

-No.

-Everybody needs money.

Take it. OK? Bye.

-Thank you.

-Yeah, take it easy.

You're lucky if Dinky hires you.

He's a good guy to work for.

He buys his crew breakfast and lunch.

And how does a girl like you get along with Dinky's wife?

I haven't met her yet.

-Is that right?

-Hey, Dinky!

There she is! I thought I scared you off yesterday.

Hey, I know you. It's the flip-it girl.

Oh, no. You're not still playing flip-it?

-No.

-Just do me a favour, go into the counter...

Belmont, race two. 50 dollar quinella on the five and seven.

-And keep this for yourself.

-Oh, no, I'll do it for free.

-I need to learn.

-ALL: Take the money!

He's on a roll. You're struggling. Take the money.

Come on, I'll walk you up there.

So...

...when someone gives you their money,

it's a...sign of trust.

-You understand that, don't you?

-Yeah, I understand.

Belmont, race two.

50 dollar quinella for the five and the seven.

What? I'm good with numbers.

Hm...

DINK: All these sports,

hockey, racing, football, basketball, whatever.

Over there on the board are the lines the casino is offering. The odds.

You can bet on anything. Who wins, who wins by how much.

The team with the best finish. Anything.

Look, see?

Someone's laying a lot of money, so the casino's changing the odds.

I make my money by working out where they're wrong.

God, that was so exciting!

And the money! You won so much money!

I had a bad day yesterday. The money's not that important.

Oh, well, that's what people with money love to say.

-You are good with numbers.

-Yeah, I'm pretty good with letters, too.

-What?

-Say a word.

-Lose.

-No, a long one.

Louisiana.

Double A, double I, L, N, O with U.

I don't get it.

-It's the letters of Louisiana put in alphabetical order.

-Huh!

-I know, it's weird, right?

-Do it again.

Well, give me a word.

Suicide.

C, D, E, double I, S, U.

That was amazing.

So, after Ohio, I moved back to Florida again, where my dad lives.

And I got a job in a Thai restaurant,

but when I broke up with their son, they fired me.

-OK.

-OK.

What?

OK, so after I got fired, I had to find another job.

And I found one in the paper.

And, it was, uh...

private dancing.

You know, going to clients' houses and stripping,

-basically.

-OK.

And then, also, I had a pornographic website, which was pictures of me naked

Photoshopped to look like I was giving oral sex to my twin and stuff.

Eventually, a few other girls joined it, too.

Nobody knows about that.

Nobody.

You're a ganef.

A ganef. Yiddish for a small-time, lovable thief.

You'll do very well in this business.

You don't think it's something I should be ashamed of?

No, no. You're a kid. You're just doing kid things.

I mean, it's dangerous. Not that happy about that.

If my parents ever found out,

they would feel like they have no idea who I really am.

SHE SIGHS

I freebased a couple of times. I never told my mom.

I was a bookie, back in New York.

Harmless, but illegal.

As it turns out, I took some bets from this guy in Detroit.

I never met him. Turns out he's a mob guy.

When they bust him, they go through his phone records.

-They end up busting me.

-Did you go to jail?

No, a felony conviction, but I was only in a halfway house.

But my mom was devastated.

At least she never thought she had no idea who I am.

SHE CHUCKLES

-OK.

-OK.

-OK, then.

-Oh, OK, bye.

OK, bye.

All right, see you in the morning.

-Don't be late.

-Wait! Are you hiring me?

-Still want the job?

-Yes! I want the job.

Then, yes, I'm hiring you.

Hours are from eight to five,

you get four hours off for lunch, ten to two,

Monday through Saturday. Sundays we go all day, eight to four.

You get paid 20 dollars an hour.

-Really?

-Bonuses, vacations.

-Yes. And three meals.

-Really?

Oh, my God. Yes, really.

-Bye.

-Whoo!

SHE LAUGHS

-OK.

-I'll call you back in ten.

Oh, shit! Shit's popping off! Let's get ready to mambo!

-OK, there's my Minnesota, minus six.

-Got it.

Are you ready for this, sweet thing?

-No, I don't get it.

-You don't get what?

This! All of it! How to do it. You should fire me.

-No.

-Dink, let me fire her.

I'm not going to fire you, OK?

I've just been talking to you too much and you're mired in theory.

OK, here's what we're going to do. You are going to make this bet.

This is your phone, pick it up. OK?

-We're going to call...

-Try Top of the World, they're slow.

That's your speed dial for Top of the World.

You're going to call them. It's a sports book in Costa Rica, all right?

Ask about Minnesota game, two-two-four.

You lay the minus six for two dimes.

OK, hi. Six, four, six, double D.

Game two-two-four, Minnesota.

OK, I'll take the six with Minnesota.

-No, no, don't...

-What? What?

Don't say "take". You're doing great. You're doing great, OK?

Minnesota is the favourite.

You don't "take" the favourite, you "lay" the favourite.

OK, so we're going to lay for two dimes.

Hi. Actually, can I lay the six for two dimes?

Uh-huh.

Six, four, six, double D.

OK, OK. Watch, now watch this.

Wait... Wait...

DINGING You see that? Wait for it.

-And, boom.

-What?

-You just changed that line.

-I did?

Our 2,000 bet just moved those odds.

And that's what we did, OK? You just made your first bet.

-For 2,000?!

-2,000.

Whoo!

The way the numbers keep changing on the screen.

You just make it into what you want it to be.

I don't know, it's the first place

that's ever made any sense of how my brain works.

Well, next thing you know

he'll be taking you to Magic's for game day.

We're going there on Sunday.

He asked the guys. They couldn't come.

-Hey, you're not...

-What?

Are you?

God, no.

Mm-hm... All right.

Cos I wouldn't if I were you.

If you last long enough to meet Tulip, you'll know what I mean.

Well, I'm not. The thought never entered my mind.

Mm-hm.

MAN ON TV: 'Dominic kicks. It's up...'

Come on. Come on!

-Hey. ALL:

-Hey, Dinky!

Everybody, meet Beth.

Dink Inc's newest employee and flip-it aficionado.

Beth, say hi to everybody.

Hi.

I don't think your friends like me.

They like you.

WHISPERS: They like you.

They can just barely tolerate women. I forgot about that.

I got too much on the under. Anybody want a piece of this?

-I'll take two dimes.

-Done.

How the fuck you got two dimes to bet on the game

when you ain't paid me back the money from Saratoga,

you fat fuck? HE MUMBLES BACK

-Dinky! I'm back!

-Uh-oh.

Who is that?

Rosie, the bookmaker from New York.

I thought that was illegal.

It is. Last year, he went on a big broke.

I mean, I-can't-believe- he'd-show-his-face-here broke.

-He still owes me 70 grand.

-Aren't you mad at him?

No, it's not that kind of thing.

Oh.

I believe this is yours.

Me handing over to you, now that is a switch.

Are you trying to tell me I didn't beat you on Charlotte?

Fair and square, Dink. Fair and square.

Wow. Can you put this in your bag?

I just don't have enough room in my pockets for all that money.

Dinky... Did you know this man is one of my heroes?

When I was 16, I wanted to be Dink when I grew up.

A real classic Dink was... What the fuck is that?

Is that a fucking ticker?

Holy shit! They still have that service?

What, is there a fucking mouse on a treadmill inside that thing?

It gives you the latest scores from when, 1997?

It still works for me.

ALL SHOUTING

MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON TV

I just won 114,000!

Oh, fuck you, Rosie.

Dinky, I had to change my phone number.

This is my recent contact info.

My name is Troy Roseland, you get to call me Rosie.

-Hi, I'm Beth.

-She works for me.

It's great seeing you, Dink.

DOOR OPENS

DOOR CLOSES

Oh, hi...

I'm Beth.

-You're Beth?

-Mm-hm.

Oh...

Did you have a nice time on your boating trip?

Yes, yes. Beautiful.

Beautiful.

-So, who have you worked for?

-Oh, you mean where have I...?

Have you ever worked for a gambler?

No, no... But I'm loving working for your husband.

He's so great, honest, wonderful. Wonderful boss.

So, who have you called so far for rundowns?

That is the first thing you do when you get to the office.

SHE EXHALES

-Uh, minus two?

-There's nothing for me.

I know. Knox's line was better. I'll call him back.

Forget it. We missed it. We're already on the other side.

Can you do 10, 19, Dink Inc? Can I get a rundown?

Down 50 grand today.

What's the first half total on Morehead? 17?

OK. Let me go under the 17, minus the 12 for two dimes.

-No, for two dimes. Yeah.

-You! Park it!

No more scores.

And that goes for you, too!

You stay put! I mean, both of yous just stay put, you hear me?

PHONE RINGS

WHISPERS: Oh, no...

INDISTINCT CHATTER ON TV No!

Oh, touchdown, Dinky. 29 seconds.

Perfect!

-Tulip! You're a jinx!

-No, I'm not.

Either you're a jinx, or God hates me.

You tell me which one it is. UP-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS

Would you turn that thing off?

MUSIC CONTINUES

I'm going to go broke this winter. We'll have to sell the house.

-You say that every winter.

-Yeah, this year I know.

We are going to go broke.

And it's going to sneak up on us quietly, very quietly!

You know what? I didn't come here for this.

I'm going to fit in some Pilates before golf.

I didn't come here for this.

CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY

I know something that'll make you feel better.

-A bullet?

-No.

Chinese poker.

I haven't been doing very good lately.

Oh, come on. You're just having a little...moment.

A slump. It's called a slump, and it's not getting any better.

And it doesn't help to have a wife who's a...jinx.

I deal with it as best I can.

Oh, this is good, this is good. We need this field goal.

Oh! THEY LAUGH

Hughes did very good in the first half. Sit right here.

Oh, I did very well just now.

So, why didn't you go into the stock market or something?

-It seems like the same thing.

-Stock market's a racket.

I'd rather bet on professional wrestling.

SHE LAUGHS

Why don't you have your own sports book somewhere?

The operators in Costa Rica sound so nice and happy on the phone.

I bet it's beautiful down there.

I went down to San Jose one time.

It's not what you think of when you think of Costa Rica.

Very grim, very sad.

But you'd make so much money from your own book.

Sure, yeah, but then I'd have to live in San Jose.

You know, I could be a lot richer in general

if I'd made most of my decisions based on money.

My hugest defect.

No! No! That's what makes you so...great.

I'm not so great.

-You what now?

-It was just hands!

With Dink? Are you out of your mind?

God, I'm sorry I ever told you.

That's what you're sorry for?

Do you think I should confess my love

and see if he'll leave Tulip and run away with me?

Do you have some kind of fucked up thing with your dad?

No! God, my dad was my best friend.

We did everything together.

Can you do me a favour?

Can you make sure Tulip never finds out

it was me who brought you around?

SHE GROANS

MAN ON TV: 'Trying to move his hands, and Berto tags him with a left.'

-Yes! Go!

-DINK: Go, Berto!

Can't believe you picked this Berto fight.

Oh, come on! He is a stallion.

How could anyone lay odds on him being out by the fifth round?

Plus, he trains around the corner from my motel.

BOTH LAUGH

You could be my new downtown sports consultant.

Sure, if you want me to.

PHONE RINGS

Hi.

You have no fucking reason to be out so late with her!

Tulip, every night you go to bed at nine o'clock.

Now, just because I have a new friend,

you're going to call me up and tell me what I can and...

You're making yourself crazy!

Come on, you're missing the best part. Hang up on her.

Did I just hear that little cunt?!

Tulip, you're forcing yourself...

Fuck you, Dink!

I have to go home now.

She's losing her mind.

Just don't tell me who wins this fight, OK?

No, come on. No, no, no. Come on. Stay for one more round.

One more round. She'll live.

Plus, I'm making you money.

It's two-oh-one. I want the exacta box for a nickel.

Right. Yeah, yeah.

I owe this guy Leon, down in Costa Rica, 80 grand.

You're going to take this over to a guy named Rudy at the Paris.

Take this to him and I'll be even with Leon.

It's 80 grand. Count it.

PHONE RINGS

And then race 14... No, no, make Frankie do the run. We need Beth on the phones.

Oh, what? Now Beth's better than me on the phones?

Well, you said that, not me.

Now go fuck yourself, OK? I never liked you.

BETH LAUGHS

It's OK, Dink. I'll make the run.

Oh, for God's sake. Stop sniffing money.

Jesus, I can't take this.

..across the board, three horse for a nickel.

I'm going to go work out a little later,

and then I'm going to go home and get a massage.

After you make this drop, you want to meet me over at Caesars parking lot?

Go get something to eat?

Uh-huh. Sure.

CAR DINGING

I love you.

Oh...

So what?

Never stopped anybody.

We had a deal.

We had a deal.

I can't believe I have to say this.

All I was supposed to do is take care of you.

And you take care of me.

That's why I picked you.

That was our deal.

I can't believe you made me say this.

Look at this! Spring training in lovely Scottsdale, Arizona.

-Let's go!

-SHE LAUGHS

-Beth.

-Mm-hm?

I have to fire you.

SHE LAUGHS

No crying.

This has been fun, but it's just not good.

It's just not good. Tulip says that you're coming between us.

And she's right.

So, do yourself a favour and just take the money and let me know...

-SOBBING

-Why don't you do yourself a favour

and get rid of your miserable fucking wife?

OK, out of the car.

You are so fun.

You love to have fun.

You do! And you're wonderful.

And she doesn't want you to have fun.

That's not true. SHE SOBS

Look, come on. Just stop crying.

Get out. Get out of the car.

-OK!

-I'm a married man.

Why are you so afraid of losing her?

She's not afraid of losing you.

Beth...

It doesn't always help when someone thinks you're the greatest,

and you don't think you're the greatest.

Bye, Beth. ENGINE STARTS

Watch your toes.

MUSIC: It Doesn't Matter Anymore by Linda Ronstadt

KNOCK ON DOOR

-WOMAN:

-Beth. Come on, open up.

SONG CONTINUES ON HEADPHONES

MUSIC STOPS

Anyway, to hell with Dink.

-Fuck him.

-Fuck him!

When you're in love with somebody you overlook certain things,

but there would've been a lot to overlook with Dink.

I mean, Tulip definitely earns her money.

You don't clip nose hair for money.

You clip nose hair for love.

Tulip loves him, girl.

-You want to hit the head?

-No, I'll wait here.

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that this game is for retards.

Really?

Yeah, it always looks like it's just about to fall, but it never does. That's the hook.

Huh. It's so well-designed.

Yeah.

OK.

SHE CLEARS THROAT

Back on the horse? Go, Beth.

No, I was just saving him from flip-it.

But he was cute, right? Sweet.

It was nice to talk to somebody for a minute who's not...

Yeah, I know.

-One of us?

-Yeah. Who are you texting?

My shrink. He's got a tip about a game tomorrow.

Hey, your boyfriend's looking over here. The flip-it guy.

The rooms here got Toblerone candy in the minibar.

-Bring me back one in the morning.

-Stop it. Shut up.

-Bye.

-ELEVATOR DINGS

BETH LAUGHS

I just have to make sure that you got home OK.

-Wait.

-FEMALE ELEVATOR VOICE:

-Going down.

SHE MOANS

You should definitely, definitely take me to your room right now.

Should we just talk about this for one second?

-Why?

-Well, you are a little drunk.

Yeah, but it just makes me more articulate about my feelings.

And, right now, I have a huge amount

of sexual tension built up inside of me,

and I think you're very, very handsome and really nice, and...

-Can we be done talking now?

-Yeah.

-Wait, are you single?

-Oh, yeah.

-FRANKIE:

-Bring it in! Come on, Ten!

Come on, Ten! Come on, baby! Come on!

Go! Go! Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah! Oh, yeah!

Come on, Ten! Yes!

-Yes!

-Yes!

-Yes!

-Yes! Yes! Yes! Nine to one!

Way to go, Dinky!

Way to come back from Santa Anita! Hee-hee!

-Yeah!

-Yes!

I didn't bet it.

What?

No, but you picked the ten to win.

But then I didn't bet it.

Just get back to your phones and stay out of my fucking bets.

The fucker!

COMMENTATOR: 'One-point-two remaining.

'They need to go the length of the floor.

'This'll be a three for the win.'

CHEERING 'No good!'

Oh, no! Now I'm down 172. And just for the last five days, Scotty.

And nobody takes it seriously!

Where's Frankie? We've got to make these runs!

-He's at Celine Dion.

-DINK LAUGHS

On a Saturday? During the NCAA Basketball playoffs?

That's when he's going to Celine Dion?

During the NCAA Basketball tournament?

You told him last week he could go.

It's the only show he could get orchestra seats.

How many time does this guy got to go see Celine Dion?

Dink, maybe I should just make the run myself.

Scotty, will you shut up? No, we need somebody here by 11.00, at least,

or today is a wash.

And this day was the only way I had of making up for this week.

So, Jesus fucking Christ, God!

-Flagstaff Aaron.

-He's working for Dave the Rave.

-Call Holly.

-Oh... I don't think it's a good idea

to send Holly out with this kind of money,

I think it's actually maybe a bad idea.

Look, Dink. I can do the run really fast, get back here...

No, no. These lines are changing.

I need you on the phone. Just get Holly over here.

POP MUSIC PLAYS

-This is baby oil.

-Yeah?

Why don't you use sunscreen?

Because it screens the sun.

OK, Holly, this is the 9,000 for the horses at Bally's.

-All right.

-Take this 31,000 over to the Golden Nugget

and call me once you get over there.

Give me the line on Kentucky, and I'll tell you where to put that.

-OK.

-All right, hurry, please.

-COMMENTATOR:

-'Mr Jazz unleashing a furious late kick...'

-Get up.

'Here comes Mr Jazz up on the outside

'to take the lead in the shadow of the wire.

-'Mr Jazz at ten to one.'

-Good?

So that's plus 80, right?

What line did Holly give you on the Kentucky game?

-She hasn't called yet.

-What? What are you talking about?

She hasn't called. I've been trying her for an hour,

and she's going straight to voicemail.

You haven't talked to Holly for an hour and you're just telling me right now?

Call her back, Scotty.

-Call her back!

-Yeah, all right.

And I hope your precious Celine Dion

chokes on a wire coat hanger tonight.

Nothing. Sorry, man.

Still voicemail.

Dave the Rave's at Bally's.

I've been here since, like, 11.00.

I ain't seen her, Dinky.

She was here.

She was watching the game.

She bet Toronto?!

Magic, is that what you just said?

-Oh, God. Oh, God. Oh, God.

-'I got her.'

-HOLLY:

-Oh, God...

Fucking asshole. Come on, take it.

No, you didn't. No, you didn't! You did not get robbed, Holly!

What you did was take 40,000 of my money,

and go and make a bet for yourself on Toronto.

-That is what you did.

-My shrink said it was a sure thing.

Oh!

God!

Just come back to the office.

-I'm never coming to the office.

-SOBBING

Jesus, Dink. I should just fucking off myself, I should!

Don't do that, don't do that.

Just please, come back to the office, Holly,

and we'll work out some kind of payment plan.

DIAL TONE

THEY ALL SIGH

-Don't say it.

-I didn't say anything.

I could hear you thinking it.

Me? I wouldn't send Holly out with money like that.

She's just not...

HE GROANS

-It's not like me or Frankie.

-Or Beth.

Yeah, you had to stay here and watch the phones.

So, you...

..you...

and Celine Dion and Beth are all fired.

So get out! Get out!

Get the fuck out!

Get the fuck out!

Goddamn it!

-No way.

-Tulip, please.

Do you think I would even ask for something like this

unless I really needed it desperately?

And what do I get?

Whatever you want.

OK, I'll get Otis, and everything else goes in a laundry bag.

I'll be right back.

You can really do this? Just pick up and leave town?

Yes. That's what's so great about living in a motel and getting fired.

If I didn't do this, I'd be crazy.

I can hear the logic rattling around in there somewhere.

Your trip back is going to be a lot more fun than your trip out.

Of that, I am completely assured.

Hi.

What are you doing?

I was about to check out.

Good. This place is a dump.

-Where are you moving to?

-New York City.

When'd you decide that?

About two hours ago.

I need you back.

-You were really mean to me.

-I know, I know.

I'm sorry, it couldn't be helped.

But the way we were, it just... wasn't going right.

We had to snap out of it, but I need you back. Now.

And what about Tulip?

We worked it out.

We came to terms that we could agree upon.

Unromantic terms.

For me and you, yeah.

So, why do you want me back?

How could you even ask that?

Beth, you are terrific with numbers.

You're great on the phone. People love talking to you.

You keep your cool. I trust you.

And you bring me good luck.

Beth, you are crucial to Dink Inc.

Isn't that enough?

Is that a loan shark?

Cos you can use me as a human shield, but I'm not sure I could take him.

No... He's not a loan shark.

I know.

Pretty sure that's the famous Dink.

Yeah.

Not exactly what I was picturing.

So, where's Otis?

Take this. Put it on shuffle.

I thought you were over it.

I'm over him, but not over it.

I kind of thought it was the same thing.

Yeah, I did, too. But I just found out that it's not.

I'm sorry, Jeremy.

Well...

-Call me sometime?

-I will.

I will.

Adios, muchacha.

ENGINE STARTS

Is she mad at me?

No. Not allowed to be.

What do you mean, that was part of the deal

for me coming back to work, she can't be mad at me?

Yeah, sort of.

So, what does she get in the deal?

Jesus, how do you know these things?

A shopping spree?

I wish.

A face-lift.

-Whoa!

-Whoa.

I must really mean a lot to you.

I missed you.

Say you missed me, too.

I missed you, too.

We're friends, right?

Whatever.

I got to stop by and drop off Jyrki's hamster food at the house.

Go upstairs and say hi.

It's important.

-OK.

-Be nice.

Yeah.

SHE GASPS

SHE CLICKS HER FINGERS

Do not fuck my husband.

OK.

He says you're good luck.

He told me he doesn't really think you're a jinx.

The bag of frozen peas in the cooler.

Stick it on my face.

-SHE GROANS

-Sorry.

Bethy!

-Did you miss me, sweet stuff?

-Yes.

Hey, kid. Welcome back. Welcome back.

INDISTINCT CHATTER

Five dimes on Miss Israel and she can't make the top ten?

It's so good that you're back because things have just not been...

good.

Hey! What the fuck are you doing here?

Uh... I live here.

That's what the fuck I'm doing here.

-Where should I be?

-I don't know.

Taking your clothes off somewhere until you pay Dink back?

Dink and I will work it out.

What? So you're just cool with stealing his money from him?

And you're just cool trying to steal him from Tulip?

Hey, that's not the same thing.

Oh, you got that right.

Come on, Beth. It's all good.

We all got away from some kind of fucking bullshit someplace.

And we all came here because this is where you get a break.

But sometimes, you got to give one, too.

Take a penny, leave a penny. Know what I mean?

I mean, you want to hold people to a higher standard?

I'd first take a look in the mirror.

Next thing I'd do is move someplace else.

You stay here?

You're one of us.

Have a great day, honey.

I spent the whole day, the whole day with a 103 fever!

Now, and then KC, I've got to lose on a fumble? Are you kidding me?

Are you kidding me right now? On a fumble?

I lose on a fumble at KC?

Sunday! All day Sunday.

Sunday night I wanted to kill myself, I swear to God.

And now they've got to take this game.

We are officially on damage control conditions right now!

-I, I...

-You what?

You what? You what? You were supposed to bring me luck.

-Me?

-That's what you were supposed to bring back.

Like the cat that came back, but you didn't.

-You just brought me bad luck.

-Come on, it was one bet.

Just one bet? Oh, is that what it was?

-Yeah, it was just one bet!

-What do you know about gambling?

Do you think you understand how this works?

How my business works? You don't. Get out!

Just get out! Get... Get out!

Help her out. You, too. Get out! You, too. Scott!

Get out! Get out! Hurry up! Get your fucking bag!

-Get out! Get out!

-OK, we're going!

Scott, go! Please! Get out!

Oh, my God, what was that?

He's been firing everybody every couple of days.

-Only lasts an hour or two.

-Why is he being like this?

-It's like he's not Dink.

-That is Dink. That is Dink losing.

Bad, like he could be headed towards a broke

if he doesn't pull out of this debt spiral.

-What do we do? How do we help him?

-There's nothing we can do for him.

What do you mean? What are we going to do if he goes broke?

-Go to work for somebody else. Take it easy, Beth.

-Take it easy?

This happens to everybody. You should know that by now.

-This is gambling.

-They call this gambling for a reason.

Yeah, I just... I didn't think...

Didn't think what? That it'd happen to Dink? Yeah, it happens to the good guys, too. Maybe more, even.

-But, hey, then, you come back.

-Hell, yeah.

And that's the best feeling in the world, man.

-Let's grab a date shake.

-All right.

You're buying, though, you cheap bastard.

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

You were supposed to bring it back.

Bring what back? Your luck?

I can't do that. It's not my responsibility.

So you're just going to leave me now when I'm falling apart?

Well, I can't stay here when you're like this. It's too...

..depressing.

You are a very selfish person.

What?

Hey, what do you want me to do?

What do you want me to do?

Take it. I accept your resignation.

It's been nice knowing you. Bye, Beth.

Hey Dink, you sure you want to be giving away money right now?

Just get out.

If you want to quit, that's fine. OK?

Just don't go do one of your stupid hustles for money.

-Mm-hm.

-Just go do something.

Are you done?

Cashing them all in, yeah?

PHONE RINGS

Well, hello.

Um, hi.

It's Beth. From Las Vegas.

LAUGHS Yeah, I know who Beth is.

If I came to New York...

..would you hang out with me?

I mean, there are people with MBAs waiting tables at the Olive Garden.

What is someone going to hire me to do?

How did you finagle getting your job?

Well, it wasn't exactly a finagling kind of thing.

-Well, then, what was it?

-It's what I've always done.

I went to journalism school, I interned, and I got a job.

SHE GROANS What?

I don't understand why that sounds so crazy to you.

It's not crazy.

I just wish that I had a path, like you do, you know?

You're lucky.

Look, you just got out of a shitty situation.

-You got fired...

-I didn't get fired.

-You quit.

-I don't know what happened.

I've got to say,

I don't want to be around him if he can be like that.

I don't want to see him like that.

Gamblers.

-I'm sorry.

-Sorry for what?

For bitching and moaning. I'll find something to do.

Six months ago, all I wanted to do was be a cocktail waitress.

And now you want something more. That's a good thing, right?

Yes, definitely.

You're so...great, Jeremy.

Let's just focus on you and me...

having a really good time.

I fucking love that plan.

MAN CALLS OUT

Come on! Come on!

Up top!

You want to get on her!

-Yes!

-Nice shot!

Hey, good game, man.

You're like Spud Webb out there.

-You play ball?

-Uh-huh.

Junior college, I had a scholarship, but I lost it.

You play for St John's?

Yep, class of '87. They're playing tonight.

Man, I'd lay some big money on that game

if I could find that action.

They are a lock.

Really? You like to bet?

On anything that moves.

Hi, I'm Beth.

Dave Greenberg.

Beth.

ROSIE: I am not religious, and I don't want to speculate

on what kind of chosen person I am,

or what kind of power centre is inside of me.

But the truth is the truth - I needed you and you came.

-OK...

-This is temporary right here.

I have a much more permanent,

more epic situation that is in the works.

But I'm not at liberty to discuss it right now.

So, for God's sakes, do not ask me about it.

So, now, Beth. How do you suggest I re-imagine my vortex

in a way that indispensably includes you.

Well, I'm good on the phone

and I like going on pay and collects.

PHONE RINGS Hey. Yo, Gids.

Why not? I'll give you six points. Later, fool.

Pay and collects, some phone, I like it.

I like where this is going. Yes. How's 40 an hour to start?

Oh, great. Didn't you just make a bet?

-Yes.

-So aren't you going to write it down?

Oh.

I can see there's something that you're thinking, but then not saying.

Yeah. Well, there's this guy I know,

and he likes to bet like crazy, and he can't find any action,

and he has friends who want to get down, too.

And I thought maybe I could put them onto you?

I mean, they seem ready to bet, like, a lot.

Fine, great. You agent it.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Me, really?

This'll be a nice thing on the side for you.

Whatever he loses, I'll give you 25%,

but these guys are your responsibility.

Oh, my God, this is great.

Beth, dude. Your initiative, it is impressive.

-Yes.

-You started working for me before you started working for me.

That is unprecedented.

You're like a hungry woman lion on the prowl,

but you listen to things and you smell everything.

Look at this line here on Boston. I'm going to savage this right now.

Rosie, 651.

Take me 200K Boston...

Rosie, 651.

Right motherfucking now!

Thank you. Bang!

So, anyway... What?

Well, you just made a bet for 200,000

in the middle of our conversation.

-And is there a problem?

-No, but you do not bet like Dink.

Listen, I mean no disrespect.

Dink is a famous classic. He is a hero of mine.

He is the '57 Chevy of gambling.

But, all modesty aside, I am the Ferrari.

Or if Ferrari made a super-fast tank with laser blasters sticking out,

I would be that of gambling!

We are done for today.

This should be in the vicinity of 6,000.

A signing bonus, some clothes, some food.

I don't want you with the stress.

And it's so exciting. Do you have any idea how big Rosie's bets are?

It's New York, where gambling is illegal

and bookmaking is a felony.

Because of you, I'm finally good at something,

but I can't do it in Las Vegas because you banned me.

If Rosie is taking action across state lines,

which, of course, he is doing,

'then you are opening yourself up to a conspiracy,

'and that's a slam dunk for RICO. Does that sound familiar?'

Does that sound like anybody you know?

-You're jealous of Rosie.

-'Beth!'

When you go to jail, it will not be my fault. OK?

-SHE LAUGHS

-You sound like your mother.

-Goodbye.

-Oh, come on!

HE SHOUTS

Hi, Dave.

So, how about that Philly game last night?

You must be happy to see me, huh?

-What?

-MAN: Thanks a lot.

-HE GROANS

-What?

What? Dave, you're actually making us look kind of suspicious.

Well, excuse me, Miss Mata Hari,

for not wanting to receive illegal cash in front of cops.

My car's over here. Come on.

Dave Greenberg's a prick.

And he never loses.

I like it when they keep winning.

That means when they lose, they lose huge.

Rosie, do you ever worry

about getting caught by the police or the FBI?

Eh, never happen. We're too cautious.

-You're not cautious.

-Well, we're semi-cautious.

No, you're not.

Rosie, you play Guitar Hero with the delivery guys

while you take bets on the phone.

You left our "who owes who what" cheats

in a booth at the Sizzler.

Everybody knows you're a bookie.

I do not like having these kinds of conversations.

And, Beth, I think you know that.

And, besides, as far as what is legal or not legal,

it's about to become a moot point, but I will not talk about that.

Because that - that is a secret!

Tell me.

OK, the Curacao thing is getting very real.

My licence, it just came through down there.

I have an investor that may cover the set-up.

My sports book shall be called ASAP!

All Serious Action Players! Completely legal.

-Oh, that's incredible.

-Look at the eight horse.

Where the heck did she come from? She's going to mess up my Perfecta.

Curacao, that's a beautiful island in the Caribbean, right?

-It's a beautiful, legit island.

-Oh, God!

Fucking Ruby Lane.

-Come on!

-You got it! You got it!

-You got it! You got it!

-Yes!

-There it goes!

-Yes! Yes! Oh, yes!

THEY SHOUT AND WHOOP

-Yes! Yes!

-How did you do that?

How'd you pick the eight horse to win? She looked like absolute shit to me.

That was like sorcery, and yesterday it was Cleveland.

You're back. You are back.

Two weeks ago, she looked like a mess.

But I thought she was starting to get her head around the whole thing.

Ruby Lane, Ruby Lane. Ruby Lane...

What does Dink think?

Well, I'm not really talking to Dink right now.

Beth, you made a lot of money in the last couple of months.

-Why don't you just stay here with me?

-And do what?

Continue to have the completely fantastic time

we've been having together.

Look, Jeremy, I don't think you realise what a huge deal this Curacao thing is for me.

I mean, I'm going to actually be in charge of something.

Something that's going to take you someplace else.

Yeah, but I'll come back. I'll miss you.

-So, what about...?

-Otis. I know.

I have to find somewhere for him to stay.

I'll take care of Otis. I don't want him to stay with strangers.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Oh, my God, that would be great. He loves you.

-You know that, right?

-And I love him.

-Aw...

-SHE LAUGHS

Otis, you lucky dog.

Now my only problem is finding someone to do my pay and collects.

Hey. You could do that, too.

-Me?

-Yeah.

You can keep my cut and feed Otis, and we're even.

It's easy money.

I'll talk you through the whole thing.

Hi, Dave. This is Jeremy...

Bye.

So, what's your number?

I'm going to have a plain burger. No bun, no sauce, no nothing on it.

I know.

It had some barbecue sauce on it last time,

and I really don't want to go through that again.

So a very plain burger and nothing else,

and a regular Coke.

-Got it.

-Thanks.

-Stomach?

-Oh, yeah.

Why? What's on your mind? You're doing so good.

Yeah, yeah. I'm just a little worried about Beth.

Dink...

She's working for that maniac Rosie in New York.

I blew up at her and now she's not calling me back.

Look, I wasn't going to say anything, but do you notice

when Beth is around, you were doing a lot of losing.

And now that she's gone, you're doing really good.

Hey, if anyone's the jinx, it's Beth.

But I owe her.

Owe her for what?

I owe her for messing everything up.

I usually just think about how much money I could've made

if I'd just focused just a little bit more when I was younger.

And I usually give myself a hard time about it.

But now, I'm looking at all the things that I got to do instead.

I got to be with you.

And it's not like I don't appreciate you on a daily basis, because I do.

But for the first time since our wedding,

I look at my situation,

and I'm looking at it from an oddsmaker's perspective.

And I am a really lucky guy.

And to be honest, a big part of that is because of Beth.

DINK: 'Hey, how you doing?

'I wanted to say hi.

'And tell you that I hope'

you don't think that we're in some kind of fight, because I don't think that.

And just wanted to call...

and I wanted to see how you're doing.

Give me a shout if you have a minute.

And I also wanted you to know that I'm not mad

'that you're working for Rosie in New York.

'So that's about it.'

Call me, I'm at the office, and I hope you're OK and having fun.

OK, bye.

PHONE RINGS Hello, ASAP?

-Hello, Sport?

-Hello, ASAP?

PHONES RINGING, HIP-HOP PLAYS

Can you turn the music off?

There are phones ringing, and you're playing video games

and... What? Doing coke?!

Oh, my God, what are they doing here?

All the plumbing at their place is backing up.

So you thought you'd move them out of the brothel and into here?

If you think about it for two seconds, Beth,

you'll see this saves time and money for everybody.

Hey! Where've you been for four days?

Bethy, I have been in love. What is wrong with me?

Why is it that all of my dreams come true?

Look at this line here on Cleveland.

This is terrible. Who made this line?

Bah Bah made it. Look, Rosie, when you disappear,

these fucking assholes you brought down here

just make shitty lines, do coke,

have sex with 17-year-olds, and steal from you.

Easy. Beth, these are my friends.

Rosie, this was your big move.

The only important thing you've ever done in your whole life,

and you're letting it fucking disintegrate!

What is wrong with you?

Beth, you are the gum that holds this all together.

You put up with a lot and you deserve respect for that.

I'm giving a raise to 5,000 a week, effective last week.

But just do not tell anybody.

All right, check on Motown!

Check on the Cuban!

Somebody call HBC and give 20 dimes to...

Fuck! We're getting buried on this game!

Hello?

JEREMY: 'Did you know that Otis runs in his sleep?'

-SHE LAUGHS

-Yes.

Jeremy, how are you?

I miss you.

-You miss me?

-'Of course I do.

-'Can you tell me something normal?'

-Sure, like what?

I don't know, about your day? Anything?

-Have you checked Greenberg's bets lately?

-'No.'

He and his friends are losing finally.

And big time, like 75 grand worth.

Really? That's nice.

I can't get any of those guys on the phone, though.

You're their only action and they're idiot addicts.

They'll call.

SHOUTING AND LAUGHING

I've got to go.

Rosie's friends are destroying the place.

'Don't worry about Greenberg.'

-146, 152, 155 total.

-REGGAE MUSIC PLAYS

-PHONE RINGS

-Other scores are coming in,

so let's lower the total, under seven and a half minus 15.

Minus 13. No, leave it just at seven and a half flat.

PHONE RINGS

Rosie, can you turn it down?!

I can't, Beth. This song is the rhythm of victory!

Don't let the rhythm not get you and move!

'Beth, Dave Greenberg here. We got a problem.

'I got into some trouble a couple of years ago.

'It's a long story, but my parole officer called me in,

'and he wants to know about you and who's running your office.

'Now, don't worry, I didn't give you up,

'but this is a fucking mess.

'He's got all the numbers from my phone,

'including yours and Jeremy's.

'So, if he calls...just play dumb.

'But whatever you do, don't call me.

'I'll call you.'

It's not a big deal. The Seattle game's about to start.

Why don't you go upstairs?

It's...

My life is over, even if I don't go to jail.

If I get arrested on a felony charge, I am done forever as a journalist.

I'm 98% sure that Dave Greenberg is lying.

He just doesn't want to pay, or he can't pay.

If Dave Greenberg has a parole officer,

it does seem plausible that he would want to know who Dave's bookie is,

and that Dave would tell him.

Look! I'm going to...

I'm going to call Dink.

Wait, what? You're going to call Dink?

You said you haven't been talking to him.

I haven't. But I'll just...call him.

-I'll call you back.

-No, no! No.

Do not call me back. I am at a payphone.

Do not call my phone from Curacao, the gambling mecca of the Caribbean!

No, no. It's not NOT a big deal.

That's just Rosie saying that so you'll forget about it and go back to work.

Look, I'm sorry that I abandoned you.

Now, will you please calm down and talk to me.

I appreciate your apology.

But I want you to know this is a very serious situation, OK?

You have a felon, the parole, the FBI...

I've seen things go down just like this in the past,

and I'm not just talking about my circumstances, OK?

This is a very big problem. How is it down there?

What the heck's going on?

I'm earning 5,000 a week.

Beth, you never cared about money.

I thought you went down there because it's paradise. Is it paradise?

-SHE SOBS

-No.