The Gambler

Listen, partner.

I been waiting all morning.

Now how much longer?

I told you, son. They're still working on the boiler.

Probably be ready any time now.

Be ready any time.

You said that three hours ago.

Bet even the flies crawl around here.

Beats me.

Uh, excuse me, ma'am.

May I sit?

If you like.

Why, thank you.

Ah.

Uh, where you bound?

Sacramento.

Not San Francisco?

No.

But I gather that's where everybody else is going.

Oh. Oh, you bet.

The best poker players in the country'll be gathered there.

They'll be coming from all over...

New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans.

You mean they're going that far just to play poker?

It's to prove who's the best.

Oh.

Yeah.

You're a poker player.

I'm a gambler.

You're very young.

Yeah, well, I haven't made my full dent yet.

In San Francisco I will.

Ah, San Francisco.

It's quite a town.

I'd be glad to show you around.

Uh, sorry.

Uh, what's in Sacramento?

My husband.

Oh.

Uh, well, uh, ma'am, it's been real nice.

Thank you.

Good luck to you.

Oh, good luck to you, too.

Uh, you fellas mind if I sit in?

Take a chair.

Thank you.

What's the game?

Dealer's choice.

Five-card stud.

I'd like someone to look after my horse.

You takin' the train?

Yep.

When'll you be back for the horse?

If I'm not back in a week, sell it.

Ooh, ace.

Well, I believe I have to go for $50.

Not for me.

Huh?

You got the makin's of a good poker player, boy.

But you'd better be careful.

'Cause whatever you're doing,

you're doing too good.

Ante up.

All righty.

Here we go.

Ooh.

Five.

$20.

See your 20.

I raise you another 20.

20.

Ten bets... Five.

Call.

Well...

Gentlemen, this little ol' ace

is gonna cost you, uh...

$50.

Where you from, boy?

Ah, around.

What's your name?

Billy Montana.

Who taught you to cheat like that, Billy Montana?

That's a mighty harsh thing to say, mister.

That kid's cheating.

Seems he's not the only one cheating in this game.

Why don't you two take your game somewhere else?

Imagine them accusing me of cheating.

Oh, you were cheating.

You're just better at it than they are.

Hey, now wait a minute.

I'll give you this, though.

Damn few deal seconds any better than you do.

If you don't think I can win without cheating,

you just try me, mister.

With you dealing? No, thank you.

All right.

We'll use an impartial dealer.

Ma'am?

You know how to handle a deck of cards?

Well, I might.

How much money you got?

About $300.

This won't take long.

Cut.

What's your game?

Five-card stud.

Nine bets $20.

See your $20.

Seven of spades.

Eight of spades. Eight of spades bets.

And I'll see your 20.

$75.

Hmm. don't scare me any.

New game.

Call.

Pair of eight bets.

$100.

I don't have that much.

How much do you have?

Uh...

$68.

Pair of eights bets $68.

Three eights.

Poker's a trade, son.

And an honest one.

It's fellas like you that give gambling a bad name.

Like drunks give drinkin'.

Consider yourself lucky.

If you were dirty dealing on the Mississippi,

you'd be at the bottom of the river by now.

Oh, yeah.

Never leave a man busted.

Didn't take as long as I thought it would.

When are we getting out of here?

That train has been sitting there,

panting like a big bull for hours.

We're leavin' now, boy.

Who the hell is that?

Mr. Stobridge.

He owns this railroad.

He's the reason we been waiting?

Like I said, Mr. Stobridge owns the railroad.

Goin' now, folks. All aboard.

All aboard.

Champagne, caviar, and beautiful women.

It's gonna be a hell of a party.

Nice to have you with us, Mr. Hawkes. Ma'am.

Brady Hawkes.

Well, thank you, Lily.

Where you from?

Everywhere.

Where you from, doc?

Wherever they play cards, honey.

Get me the name of that redhead in the green dress back there.

Yes, sir.

And what was that all about, Mr. Stobridge.

Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.

Just checking on the passengers.

"Dear pa, I know you don't know me",

"but my name's Jeremiah, and I'm your son.

"I didn't know who my father was till a while back,

"but my mom said you didn't even know there was a me.

"I didn't wanna bother you none,

"but now I got no other way.

"So I'm writing to let you know the fix we're in, mom and me.

And we need your help."

Here, kid.

Let me go!

Hey, come back here!

Whoa, boy.

Let him go.

Come here, boy.

Come here.

I heard you sent off a letter.

Hmm.

Fellow down at the post office

says it went to somewhere in Kansas.

Who's in Kansas?

Who, boy?