Havana

I've been in a lot of places since Pearl harbor.

I like something about every one of them. Even Vegas.

But there's only one city I miss.

General Batista had been running the country for almost 30 years.

But this was 1958.

We weren't paying attention to the rebels in the hills.

All we knew about Havana was...

The lights in the prado never went out...

And you had a damned good chance of having the time of your life.

Check.

Check.

Bet $10.

$10, raise $20.

You guys know something I don't?

- Raise $25. - Come in.

Sorry, captain, but Tony the bar boy saw some guys breaking into the cars.

Wait a minute. What was your bet?

- See you and raise you $25. - I told them they cannot do that.

But they say they're sim and they can do what they want.

- $257? - Take your time, captain.

Christ. Look, I call.

I'll be right back.

- What the hell is sim? - S-i-m. Military intelligence.

Batista's gestapo.

This is an American ship, so as you're concerned, it's American soil.

- There are arms on this ship. - Have you found arms on this ship?

Here's the license number. Maybe we'll have to detain the ship in Havana.

You can't hold a ship because of one solitary pistol.

That deck is off-limits except to the crew.

You're violating every international maritime law there is...

And unless you can show me a search warrant...

I'm reporting you to the us embassy.

We've been advised there's contraband on this ship.

Advised by who?

Just because your military can't control some kids throwing...

It's mine.

- This your car, sir? - You copied the wrong plates, amigo.

That's my gun. Why? Is there a problem? Want to see my permit?

It's prohibited to bring weapons into Cuba.

Could we talk about this outside?

- I'm sorry for the fuss, captain. - After you, sir.

Okay, everything's settled.

Just relax. Have a nice time. Have a Christmas drink on the house.

Mrs. duran?

Marion chigwell.

We met the last time I was in Havana at nettie greenfield's.

Of course. Hello.

I don't know if nettie told you.

I'm writing an article on Caribbean cuisine for gourmet magazine.

Really?

She said you know a woman who has the best cook in Havana.

What will happen to that man who owned the gun?

They'll probably give him a hard time.

- Can I buy you a drink? - Thanks, no. Excuse me.

It's no joke, my friend. It's a very serious offense.

I see no permit here, sir.

Maybe I got it right here.

Maybe I need a new permit.

Come on, guys. It's Christmas Eve.

We are no longer issuing permits, senor.

The fresh air woke me up. Tell me about your article.

See if you like this.

- I'm crazy about it. - A pinch of ground coffee.

Another for the lady, por favor.

What were you doing stateside?

- Palm beach parties? - No, just...

Just last minute Christmas shopping?

$300.

That's a lot of money.

Could you excuse us? There's a guy really sick in here.

Use the one downstairs, please. Thanks.

$400. - You just said $300.

- You're ungrateful. - Okay, I...

Make it $350.

$500.

It's a kind of picante sauce. It's extraordinary.

- Wait a minute, man. - What?

Where's my gun?

You go out on the deck, and look over the railing...

Way over.

He uses fresh cilantro instead of parsley.

I'm so sorry. Excuse me again.

Dance, sailor?

You look surprised. Don't women ever ask you to dance?

Not women as beautiful as you.

Thank you, sir.

And the ones that do usually find it easier than you did.

What?

I said all that fuss over one little gun.

They got a tip. They say-

- is that the end of it, you think? - End of what?

- The searching. - Probably not. Why?

- Bringing in something you shouldn't? - Perfume.

That's going the other way. Smells good, though.

It wasn't your gun, was it?

- Excuse me, miss. I've got some friends... - $500.

- No, thanks. - I haven't told you...

Okay. What?

- It's silly, really. - Is it?

Because you don't seem silly to me.

Let me guess.

You want to drive your car off the boat but you've suddenly developed a problem.

Come here.

You can't be doing this for a living. You're lousy at it.

I'm not doing it for a living.

People know you in Havana?

I live there. I'll pay whatever it takes. $600.

$800.

You really want this, don't you?

Will you do it?

It would be against my principles, if I had any.

One, two, three, four, five, six.

The way it works is half now, half later.

That way I won't run away with your "perfume."

The lido.

Pardon me?

Where I'll take your car.

Fine. I'll see you at the casino at 10:00 for...

The payoff.

Thank you.

Want to tell me what kind of car, or should I just try them all?

A green town and country.

Mine's a Cadillac convertible.

Naturally.

Swell.

Please get out of the car, sir.

- What's in the boxes? - What?

What's in the boxes?

- Probably hand grenades. - Open them.

- Take a couple for the kids. - Thank you, sir.

Jack.

- Ramos, where's the story? - How are you?

Right here, interviewing your fellow Americans.

It's amazing. No one is afraid.

Should we be?

You don't take any of this seriously, do you?

I know. It's like pesos to you.

Or any foreign currency.

If it's not an American dollar, it's worth nothing.

Jack, I'm telling you we are in the middle of a revolution.

This revolution is real.

It's too early for this bullshit. Have you seen Joe volpi?

- Never mind. - Welcome back.

How are you? You ought to check your messages.

I've been trying to reach you for a week.

I've been putting together a stake. Can't run a game without one.

It's off. There's no game to run.

Mike mcclany on two, Joe.

- Later. - You're kidding, right?

Nobody's interested in high-stakes poker right now.

We got a little confusion going on down here.

You mean the revolution?

There should be a lot of loose money, people cashing out.

You know what they do?

They give their wives money, buy holy statues.

The wife shoves a few grand up St. Anthony's ass and flies to Miami.

- Forget poker. - Langan's down three, wants three more.

I'll tell you something I learned in the pacific.

Nothing like some gunfire to stimulate a little action.

Is that right? Somebody blew up an ammunition dump last night.

- See any big players? - They're there.

They're not playing. They don't smell blood. I thought we had a deal.

They're not playing 'cause they don't know what'll happen.

They're sweating out there. I can smell it. This is exactly the time to set up a big one.

You just got off the boat. These people have what we call factions.

One group wants this guy, the other wants their guy.

Meanwhile, this Castro is broadcasting shortwave from the mountains.

Talking insurrection. Change, he's talking about.

Change what? They don't know what they want.

That's why they'll play. They can do something about it.

You want to play poker, play poker in your apartment.

The players I'm talking about...

They don't walk up three flights.

I can make this thing happen.

They'll walk around the tables. It would heat things up. A big game.

Nice shoes, Jack. New?

There are other places.

Not really. Meyer still runs this town.

Think it over, Joe.

But don't take too long. The revolution might go away.

No more bets.

Twenty-two, black.

Place your bets, folks.

Gonna bet seven, right?

That's what people usually bet when they don't bet their birthdays.

This way you lose also. It just takes longer.

Nineteen, red.

I got it. Never mind. I got it. Sorry.

Cigarette lighter, cigarettes...

Passport, us, wallet.

- Want a daiquiri? - Ginger ale, please.

Ginger ale and a daiquiri.

Let me give you your money.

Here's the parking ticket and...

Six, seven, eight. It's all here.

Aren't you impressed?

You think I'm just a jerk trying to pick you up?

- Why should I change my mind, Mr... - Weil.

You can call me Jack. And what's your name?

Millicent Smith.