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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.
Bet $10.
$10, ra. Ise $20.
You guys know something I don't?
- Ra. Ise $25. - Come in.
Sorry, Captain, but Tony the bar boy saw some guys breaking into the cars.
Wa. It a m. Inute. What was your bet?
- See you and ra. Ise you $25. - I told them they cannot do that.
But they say they're SIM and they can do what they want.
- $25? - Take your time, Captain.
Christ. Look, I call.
I'll be right back.
- What the hell. Is SIM? - S-l-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 adv. Ised 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 perm. It?
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 t. Ime 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 w. Ill 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. Issu. Ing perm. Its, señor.
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 do. Ing states. Ide?
- 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 sa. Id $300.
- You're ungrateful. - Okay, I...
...make. It $350.
$500.
It's a kind of picante sauce. It's extraordinary.
- Wa. It a m. Inute, 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?
W. Ill 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 k. Ind 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 Volp. I?
- 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 I. Ittle confus. Ion go. Ing 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 da. Iqu. Ir. I? - 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 m. Ind, Mr... - We. Il.
You can call me Jack. And what's your name?
Millicent Smith.
No, it's not.
What do you do, Mr. We. Il? Are you a magician?
Ann...
Shirley no, not Shirley.
- Catherine. - Roberta.
What are the rad. Ios for, Bobby?
- Did you think I wouldn't check? - A worthy cause.
Worthy enough to get me stuck in a Cuban jail?
Yes.
Are you some kind of fanatic?
Thank you for helping.
- Green Town and Country for the lady. - Yes, sir. Thank you.
- I'd like to see you again. - I told you. I'm married.
No, you didn't.
I'm sorry. It was unintentional.
That's too bad.
This isn't like the States. People fool around here.
I think it's the climate.
I keep a place here. A small flat.
It's in one of the old buildings. A lot of charm, discreet.
You're very straightforward, aren't you, Mr. We. Il?
I can be suave.
Believe me. But I figure you know a lot of suave guys.
I got no edge that way.
But how many crude guys do you know?
You are seriously beautiful.
Please.
It's very important that nobody know about this.
If it's important to you, it's important to me.
- I hope you know what you're doing. - I do.
Silk blouse, fancy car. Why do you need a revolut. Ion?
You did me a favor. I'm very grateful, but you're arrogant.
What do you really know about Cuba?
Who's. In charge and how to stay out of trouble. What I know about any place.
That's not enough.
Can I have that?
For luck.
- Do you believe in luck? - Nope.
I really have to go. Thank you.
I got a message for Joe Volp.i.
Th. Is. Is Jack We. Il. Tell him I'm out playing cards.
The ante is dos pesos.
We're play. Ing stra. Ight draw.
You bluffed me, man. I know it.
What's the word for "bluff" in this language?
Bluff is the word.
It'll cost you a grand.
I'm in.
All for you, amigo. Also some coffee, when you get a chance.
It's Baby Hernandez.
So what they say is true, Jackie?
- What? - That you'll play anywhere.
Anywhere they'll have me. You in?
Deal. I got to make a call.
Deuce, trey. Possible straight.
Nine to five, office hours. Pair of ladies.
Four of clubs. Suicide king.
Seven and three belong to me.
Ladies bet.
I w. Ill bet $300.
I'm in.
Good action. Congenial surroundings.
It's all I ask for.
- I got impatient. - You're in no position.
Got your attention, though.
I always said if you thought about anything but snatch and poker...
...you'd be a remarkable man.
Look at those poor sons of bitches.
They'll trade in that schmuck Batista for what? Some other schmuck.
What do you th. Ink, Joe? You worr. Ied?
You know they spit on Nixon in South America?
They sp. It on the V. Ice Pres. Ident of the United States.
And The New York Times thinks Castro's Jesus H. Christ.
Younger than me, Castro.
Okay. You can run one game at the Lido. Ten percent rake, the way we said.
That's not enough.
I want more, Joe.
I've played every Elk's club and Moose hall in America, Joe.
I remember every hand of every game...
...and now I want a shot, one shot...
...at a game I could never get near before...
...with guys who don't even think how much they're playing for.
I want the house to back me. I want you to talk to Meyer.
Yesterday you were begging to run a game. Now you want to get bankrolled?
- Didn't I save your life during the war? - I was. In Vegas.
I would have.
What. Is th. Is? I don't th. Ink I remember you.
Funny thing happened to me last week, Joe.
I realized I wasn't going to die young.
This is the time for me.
Right now. And this is the city.
You're a little tired, Jack. One game, the way we said.
We'll see how that goes.
One world at a time, my friend.
I find an old-fashioned strongman like Batista sort of charming, funny.
- To us that joke is now stale. - But who is he? Castro?
Just a voice on the radio. Is he a Communist?
What. Is a Commun. Ist? In Russia, Communism is boring.
Bring it to the Caribbean. Cha-cha-cha.
By the way, it's the daiquiri here and the mojito at the Conuco.
Felipe.
Hi. Do you speak English?
- All the time. - I told you he was American.
- L. Isten. We can't dec. Ide. - What you want. Is a da. Iqu. Ir.i.
Daiquiris. Dos.
- And what if I don't like it? - You will.
My name's Jack We. Il, by the way.
I'm Diane...
...and she's Patty.
Down here marlin fishing?
Merry Christmas, señoritas.
- Your first trip to Havana? - Where's the story?
These two beautiful flowers are the story.
Welcome to Hem. Ingway's favor. Ite bar.
We know. We hoped we'd see h. Im here.
I'm Diane and she's Patty.
Hello. He didn't tell you?
Tell us what?
Son of a gun. That's so like you, Ernie.
Ernest Jack Hemingway.
- Where's the beard? - He's traveling incognito.
Hello. I'm Marion Chigwell. I write for Gourmet.
How are you? Hello.
Were you on the Key West ferry a few nights ago?
- Was I wear. Ing a beard? - No beard.
Hey, what about Castro and them? Is all this dangerous?
Excuse me. Nice meeting you.
- Ladies. - Shoving off?
I still have three restaurants to try before midnight. I'll see you.
- You think he's a fruit? - He's lying about something.
Okay, let's start at a place where the tourists don't drink.
- Want to try a moj. Ito? - Sure. I want to try everything.
All right.
- How about you, Diane? - I'm Patty.
Right, just testing you. Want to try everyth. Ing, too?
I sure hope so. See the guys at the end of the bar?
Dressed in white. They're Batista's secret police.
S-l-M. SIM.
What do they want?
They want to keep something from happening.
That'd be too bad.
My God.
- It's Duran. - What?
It's Arturo Duran.
Is he a friend of yours?
I know his family. He's a doctor.
I met him once.
They say he's been in the mountains, meeting with Castro.
I think he's a very important man in the resistance.
Are we going to eat here or what?
- Who's the woman? - That's his wife.
Hello.
It's been a long time. Do you have a moment?
For you? Are you kidding?
- Good evening. - Señora Duran.
I didn't know your husband knew Jack We. Il.
- Yes. - I'm Diane and this is Patty.
Sorry. Ramos is okay...
...but he's a reporter, after all.
- Yeah. - You don't know who I am, do you?
Just that Ramos gets all choked up when he talks about you.
You know Latins.
I wanted to thank you for what you did. My wife says you were amazing.
Can you have supper with us?
- No... - Of course you can.
Please.
It would make us very happy.
I think you will like the food.
- I've eaten here. - Mr. We. Il keeps an apartment. In Havana.
You spend a lot of time in Havana?
I come down here to play cards.
- Gambling? - I keep the gambling to a minimum.
- How do you do that? - By being good at it.
These guys in the shades they don't worry you?
Not so much. Not because I'm brave.
For Batista there are two classes of people in Cuba...
...the torturable and the non-torturable.
I come from a well-known family...
...an old one, rich.
Too rich.
I hope you know how important it was, what you did for us.
It's okay. I'll take your word for it.
You're a card player. A good one, I assume.
If I asked you to do something more...
No, I don't play cards for that. That's politics.
That's very American. Politics is what your life is all about.
- But you're not interested. - Not my life.
Everyone's I. Ife, Mr. We. Il.
Isn't politics just a kind of hope?
It's still politics.
What about fa. Irness?
I'm sorry?
As a gambler, doesn't fairness interest you?
Very much.
Outside of the casinos here, it's not so fair.
Children in the country die of TB.
And those that don't die, when they get hungry enough...
...they come to Havana and sell themselves.
- Some of us are trying to change... - You're mak. Ing Mr. We. Il uncomfortable.
I'm sorry. I'm being a bore.
You see, it's just that we have one objective in mind...
...to get rid of him.
You cannot do that nicely.
Please don't misunderstand me.
In fact, I'm fascinated by men like you...
...how you keep a kind of innocence.
Perhaps it isn't innocence at all. Perhaps Mr. We. Il...
...really doesn't give a damn.
I know politicians. I play cards with them.
And I love to because they're easy to beat.
It's the only place an ordinary man can beat a politician.
I think I ought to join my friends.
- It was good of you to take the time... - Why are they easy to beat?
Because sometimes in poker it's smarter to lose with a winning hand...
...so you can win later with a losing one.
And politicians never can quite believe that...
...because they want the power now.
I think you know more than you adm. It, Mr. We. Il.
Someone has to be responsible for changing things.
Maybe so, but I don't really feel qualified to decide who.
Then why did you help?
- It was a business deal. - Then why did you give back the money?
She told me the envelope was in her purse when she got home.
Perhaps you do believe in something after all.
Perhaps you believe . in beaut. iful women, Mr. We. il.
Blow job, americano señor?
Santos, how's it going?
Twilight of the gods, Jackie.
Well, well.
You're full of surprises. How do you know him anyway?
We went to jun. Ior h. Igh school together. I miss anything?
Having a good time, ladies?
It's okay, but...
- I want to see the real Havana. - Yeah?
- Where are the I. Ights? - Don't turn on the lights.
Snow Wh. Ite. Come here.
This is what you came down for, isn't it?
Patty, where are you?
Wh. Ich one are you?
Anejo and a cup of coffee.
Lost you last night.
You hear the one about the prostitute, the parrot and the pig?
A prostitute, a parrot and a pig are floating along in a raft.
And the...
The parrot says to the pig...
Do you want to hear this?
Taken in the morgue this morning.
SIM finally got him.
They say he tried to escape and they had to shoot him.
What d. Id he say last n. Ight? Anyth. Ing?
Was he worr. Ied? What d. Id he say?
He said he was non-torturable.
Right. So they just killed him.
Goddamn SIM.
Joe Volp. I has been look. Ing for you. He said he was able to arrange the party.
Varadero Su. Ite at the L. Ido.
Are you not telling me something I should know?
What about the w. Ife? What happened to her?
Newspaper says "disappeared."
Your husband was a fool.
But he was a Cuban fool.
You, I cannot understand.
This government is the protector of your class!
Tell me you understand that!
Do you understand that?
Are there others like you from the country club?
Tell me!
Perhaps you know them from the hairdresser or the yacht club?
What am I gonna do w. Ith you, señora?
The heavy hitter's Roy Forbes.
Canadian. Tin mines. Loaded.
- Who are the wrestlers? - Bodyguards.
One of our players is unpopular lately.
Colonel Menocal. Runs SIM.
Gentlemen. Who do you know, Jack? You know W. Illy?
Somebody said you were sailing off Venezuela.
You know Baby.
Roy Forbes, Jack We. Il.
- Captain. - Lieutenant. Faustino Coro.
Buy-in's a grand.
- Give me three. - Just gonna stick your toe in the water?
You're letting this bum in the game, Joe?
I let you in, Mike. Who the hell am I gonna refuse?
- Colonel Menocal. Jack We. Il. - Mucho gusto.
Colonel.
Table stakes. $20 ante. Dealer's cho. Ice.
We play. Ing aga. Inst Joe Volp. I's money or yours?
All mine.
In honor of you, Mr. Forbes. Canadian stud.
You know how to play?
Sure. Four cards straight. A flush beats a pair.
Okay with you?
Of course.
I seen your friend, Dante de Cenzo, in Miami.
Did he tell you I own this joint now?
Practically.
The feds made him sell. S. Ince the Kefauver...
...you can't own a jo. Int. In Vegas and Cuba.
Louder, Mike. The bugs may not have picked up every word.
- This is public knowledge. - It is now.
When you play poker you got to ante f. Irst. One of the main rules.
It's Christmas firecrackers.
- Ten bets. - It's getting to be like Shanghai.
I was there in '49.
It was sensational, but I stayed too long.
The Communists came in. I lost a fortune.
$50.
Trick is to get in and to get out.
Th. Is. Is not Shangha. I, W. Illy.
This is Havana, Cuba.
Any chance Mrs. Duran is alive?
Play poker, Jack.
Whose bet?
It's Jack's bet.
Wa. It, señora.
Surely you know something of value, something I can tell my colonel.
It would please him. I would be sergeant maybe.
Come in here, señora.
I want to show you something.
What can happen.
You see what can happen?
You know this pretty girl?
Her name is...
...Monica Eloy.
She's 17 years old.
She was a drama student at the university before it was closed.
She had a scholarship.
She made her own clothes.
She could sew very well, and she made her own clothes.
She made that dress.
I'll drown before I tell you anything more.
You'll die a corporal, you son of a bitch.
What am I supposed to th. Ink?
When you ra. Ised, I thought you had sevens back to back.
Now you want me to think you have hearts.
But then you wouldn't have checked.
$800.
Your eight.
Five more.
I'm out.
I think you're trying to steal it.
I have aces, my friend.
Four hearts beats a pair, right?
It's up to you, Mr. Forbes. Want to call. It a n. Ight?
You're too lucky, Jack, and I'm too tired.
It doesn't pay to underestimate you.
Mrs. Duran is being questioned by authorities.
- You're the authorities, aren't you? - Yes, I am.
Buy you some breakfast, Colonel?
- I assure you... - Sure.
- Everything satisfactory, Mr. Forbes? - Except for the losing.
Sandwiches were great.
Maybe we can make it more interesting for you next time.
I m. Ight try. It aga. In. See you, We. Il.
How'd it go?
You know how it went. I remember you now.
- You still play a decent game of poker. - You gonna talk to Meyer?
What were you do. Ing w. Ith the colonel?
- I was just curious. - Stop it!
If you want broads, pick them with better political affiliations.
There's a lot of foolish people in Havana these days.
Why'd you take a marker from the lieutenant?
He's a jerk.
You know it'll take a Cuban lieutenant 10 years to buy back his marker?
Joe, are you gonna talk to Meyer?
I don't know yet.
Rank has its privileges.
Boss goes home to sleep...
...and here you are.
- Is there something l... - Yeah.
This little marker.
Señor We. Il...
...it will take me a little time to... - Volp. I says 10 years.
- Well, no... - lf you're lucky.
Wh. Ich you def. In. Itely are not.
Till now.
First class.
By the time your boss wakes up, you're in a Miami hotel...
...sitting by the pool sipping a sloe gin fizz.
Why would I do that?
Because the political situation stinks down here.
And it's getting worse.
Because they'd pass you for promotion if you let a friend of mine out of here.
The woman you asked about?
American passport.
She shouldn't be here.
Nobody should be here.
And to pay for the sloe gin fizz...
...and dinner?
$2,000. Amer. Ican.
Do you have any friends where you can go?
I'd like to walk a little.
I'd like to get a cup of coffee and I'd like to walk a little.
Do you have a cigarette?
Here.
Could you eat something?
What'd they do to you?
What are you, a gangster?
Do I look like a gangster?
You can see the fish.
Listen, I don't know that this is gonna work or not...
- Where are you from? - I don't know. Philadelphia.
I have friends in Philadelphia.
I bet I don't know them.
I think we ought to get out of here.
- I'd like to walk. - Walk?
- Where? - Home.
I don't think you should go home.
Fried egg sandwich okay?
- I'm not hungry. - You will be. Sit down.
Go ahead.
What day. Is. It?
- Sunday. - Someone has to get to Santa Clara.
Why? What's go. Ing on. In Santa Clara?
Just before Santa Clara, Arturo's family has a finca...
...a country house...
...just this side of Santa Clara, sometimes the rebels use it. They don't know that...
Where are you from?
- I mean, where did you grow up? - Sweden.
I thought a Scandinavian country.
Do you have family there?
Are you in touch with them?
No. Christmas.
- It's Christmas now. - Not this Christmas.
You ought to be in touch with them.
You really ought to make a point of it.
So you came down here from Sweden? What? To warm up?
I was in California. I lived in California.
- Hollywood. - Hollywood!
You get around. What were you do. Ing. In Hollywood?
I saw Garbo when I was a kid.
Garbo?
Oh, right! Swedish!
She was in Camille with Robert Taylor.
- No kidding? - He was Armand.
He was so pretty. I wanted to meet him. So I...
I came to California to be an actress.
To be pals with Taylor. That's one way to do it.
You came down to Cuba from sunny California.
I came here from Mexico.
Hold. It. What happened to Cal. Iforn. Ia?
I married a writer. He was blacklisted, so we had to leave the States.
Commie?
I've known good ones, and I've known bad ones.
He wrote Westerns.
I I. Ike Westerns.
I don't know what they have to do with anything, but I like them.
He hated Mexico.
He started drinking, and then it was finished.
- I should have got some clean clothes. - We'll get you some.
How did it go for you in Mexico? I mean, did you get any acting jobs?
I did.
I was always la gringa.
My favorite was when I played the daughter of a mad scientist...
...and he replaces my brain.
He replaces my brain with the brain of a gorilla.
And my sweetheart doesn't know this, but...
...he comes to the lab one night and he says:
Querida, ¿qué pasa? Te comportas de un modo bastante raro.
And I go:
I met a lot of nice people in Mexico. I met Arturo.
In the past seven years I've spent maybe 10 days in the States.
What's. It I. Ike these days?
Dodgers moved to L.A.
Giants moved to San Francisco.
And you can see yourself on television in front of the RCA building.
See?
Do you want to go back?
I can get you a seat anytime. Anywhere.
I don't think it's safe for you here anymore.
Why are you do. Ing all th. Is?
For old time's sake.
Do you want to rest for a while?
I'd like to take a shower.
It's over there.
He almost did it.
We were so close.
I'm sorry.
He was a good guy.
Yes, he was.
You have no idea.
He said...
...he'd like to play poker with you sometime.
I'd rather take a nap in here.
- Here. I'll close the shutters. - No!
That's why I like it.
You don't have to stay.
I live here.
Would you put on a record?
Congratulations. Meyer's interested.
Forbes has a couple of heavyweight Canucks coming from Montreal.
Something wrong?
- Nothing's wrong. - Good.
Be at Meyer's party tonight. He want's to get a look at your face.
With any luck, I can set this up in a day or two.
Get there around 11:00. Meyer won't be there before then anyway.
What's th. Is?
- What are you up to? - What's go. Ing on?
It's a simple question.
What are you up to?
Looking for the big one, just like everybody down here.
Only this time you did a favor for a woman.
I was brought up that way.
You know she's political, this woman?
- And she's also beautiful. - Beautiful women are all over Havana.
This one's exceptional.
$2,000 is high.
Even if she's exceptional, it's high.
First class seats are difficult during the holidays. Don't waste them.
Come on, Colonel!
She's pretty. I did her a favor. That's it. What do I want w. Ith a revolut. Ionary?
- Do you think I care about this stuff? - But you need to care.
You need to, because your father didn't manicure his nails and neither did mine.
My old man coughed up his lungs in the cane fields.
And do you know who owned those fields?
Arturo Duran's family.
His people get tired of fucking you one way, they fuck you another.
We have a good I. Lfe, you and I.
These people want to bring down everything you're here for:
The food, the fucking, the gambling, the shows.
They think this is all for a government to decide.
- What do you th. Ink? - I made a mistake.
Yes, you did.
But you're a damn good poker player.
You know what I'd like to do with my life if I weren't a policeman?
What you do.
I love the game.
Don't start doing the wrong thing with your life.
Wa. It a m. Inute! You gotta celebrate with me tonight!
We were d. Iscuss. Ing three at a t. Ime.
I gave myself a Christmas present:
Chinese, a negrita, and I think the other one was Danish.
- How was it? - I felt left out.
Celebrate with me.
You said we were on the same boat.
- We were. - There was a very elegant lady.
Roberta Duran. You danced with her. She's a friend of mine.
- It's terrible about her husband. - Have you seen her?
- Disappeared, they say. - Disappeared?
- Come on! Disappeared! - She was released.
I'm glad.
It's easy to lose track of people in Havana.
- Damn right! I was trying to find her! - Excuse me? I must find the head.
Can you imagine what it looks like in this place?
I've been trying to find her for an interview.
But the government closed down the paper. The editor's in jail.
- You're kidding? - No. He's leaving Havana tomorrow.
What are you gonna do?
I was going to join Fidel, but you have to bring your own gun.
- So I'm going to Miami Beach instead. - You're not going...
No! It's the tragedy of the Cuban middle class, my friend.
We know what should be done, but we go to Miami Beach instead.
We're paralyzed by self-doubt and intellectuality...
...and by you.
- We want to be so much I. Ike Amer. Icans. - You're getting messy, chico.
And we need to be ourselves.
Have something to eat. The food is terrible in Florida.
No food, Baby. All right?
I'll miss you.
- You be careful, okay? - Yeah.
I'm hearing rumors...
...about big poker, no limit.
It m. Ight be true. Where's Joe?
Down the hall getting the bad news.
Joe, are we gonna set up in the same...
What's he say. Ing?
Take off.
Nobody's serv. Ing out there! What. Is th. Is?
They're fighting in Santa Clara.
Rebels just cut the island in half.
Our half is smaller than their half, Jack.
- Meyer, th. Is. Is Jack We. II. - Where's the offens. Ive I pa. Id for?
- It's supposed to be an armored train. - An armored train.
Like China, like Siberia, like the Boxer Rebellion!
- We prom. Ise... - Shut up and listen!
Here's what you're gonna do tomorrow:
You're gonna talk to Batista's people.
You're gonna explain to them how upset I am...
...and they better get off their asses and start fighting soon...
...or they'll go back to being a bunch of banana eaters.
Remind them that the only reason there's civilized plumbing in this country...
...is because the Americans came here in '98 and beat the shit out of Spain.
Batista's palace had an outdoor crapper before we put one inside!
The only reason he's got an army is because we gave him one.
He better start using it or he'll wind up on a corner selling beans, like he started.
We. Invented Havana!
And we can goddamn well move it someplace else if he can't control it.
Now you explain that to him.
Do you want to go for a walk, Jack?
Why not?
What do you th. Ink, Joe? Are we rained out?
No. The game's still on. He said he'd back you, he will.
He's full of tantrums. Doesn't interfere with business.
Listen. The professor, is he around?
The professor's here. Still screwing widows at the Nacional.
Some things never change.
Not him. He's seen it all.
I need to talk to him.
I like this town, Jack.
They call it the pearl of the Antilles...
...the Paris of the Caribbean.
- It's a city. - There are other cities.
Believe me. New York is good. Chicago.
How long can they hold off the rebels?
I don't know. If Batista takes a powder, it's all over. Havana's closed.
Forget the army. Forget the generals. They'll all be running for their yachts.
This town's crawling with spooks now.
Used to be all you had was the FBI on your ass. No more.
- You take any heat from them? - They don't deal with people like me.
These guys went to Yale. They play bridge.
They fuck each other.
You know, they won't let me back in the States.
I'm not a citizen anymore.
Not a citizen?
What'll you do. If the rebels take the c. Ity?
Meyer's talking about Santo Domingo.
Ever been there? It's nowhere.
Maybe I'll go to Costa Rica.
I got a friend there. Retired.
W. Idow.
Meyer's got his money both ways.
He's making deals with the rebels, trying to buy insurance.
He thinks I don't know.
Not gonna work.
I'm gonna go stick my head in church.
When are you leav. Ing?
Last.
Hi, sonny.
- Hi, Professor. - Joe Volp. I sa. Id you were back.
Spending time at the Nacional?
Twin sisters from St. Louis and loaded with mazoola.
Rebels are fighting in Santa Clara.
Yes. History's overtaking us, my boy.
The wheel turns. I hope you stay till the bitter end.
I'm going. One more game.
Want to come w. Ith me?
Take the ferry. Dr. Ive to Vegas. You want to go to Vegas?
Nonsense.
Atom bombs and sandy pussy. What's your hurry?
I always stay here too long.
Every time I came down here I thought: "This is where anything's possible.
"I can find the best fuck and biggest game of my life."
I'm ahead, way ahead, man. It's...
...stupid for me to stick around too long.
I met this woman.
I know her 72 hours...
I don't know.
You stick with her.
Take the advice of an old man.
There's nothing like a woman, or two. They love men. Even jerks.
The biggest jerk you ever knew somehow has a woman that's nuts over him.
Women are perfect. The rest. Is bullsh. It.
I can't. She took off.
I think I know where she is. She's down where they're fighting.
Goddamned if I know why.
It's time to get out, Professor.
So when are you leaving, sonny?
After the game.
I just get this...
What are you gonna do?
Hell, I don't have to do anything.
But you do.
I got somebody I gotta get out of there. Americano.
Santa Clara. I got a friend in there.
Speak Spanish!
I gotta get her out.
Señora, what has happened here?
Where's the woman w. Ith the car?
Where's the...
Woman, señora.
Car.
Finca! Duran. Oh, shit!
It means lost, right?
Bye-bye, Yankee!
I got your note.
How did you get through?
By not speaking Spanish.
I didn't think I'd see you again.
That's how I thought it would go, too. What. Is th. Is place?
This is Arturo's family home.
- What are you do. Ing? - The rebels have a transmitter out back.
I don't understand why you came.
Are you sorry?
What's the transm. Itter for?
They'll try to contact Havana tonight, to contact our group. They don't know.
When I was. In pr. Ison I saw Bufano.
Who's Bufano?
He's with us. He's supposed to be with us.
Talking with the police. I don't believe it, but I saw him. I'll try...
So you tell the rebels not to contact the group. Then what?
- I don't know. - Menocal's looking for you.
He missed you by just a few minutes yesterday.
- I think I'm safe here. - Nobody's safe here!
Jesus! I just drove through it!
There are soldiers all over the road! There is no front line in this war!
If he looks for you, he'll check the airport and ferry!
- What do you expect me to do? - Get out of Cuba.
Just for a little while.
- I know a guy with boats. - I can't leave now.
Why not?
You think one out-of-work actress will make any difference?
Come on!
What has th. Is got to do w. Ith you anyway?
This isn't our business! This is their business!
You put this place on like a costume!
You've got your lines in español.
You're not poor. You're not hungry. You're sure as hell not Cuban!
I don't have to be Cuban to know when things are unfair.
Th. Ings are unfa. Ir! Where have you been?
- I don't want to live that way. - You don't marry into a revolution!
If you need war, you'll run the rest of your life!
Don't tell me how to make sense of my life! I don't know you.
All you see here is a place for a card game because there's a fever to gamble now.
That's not what's going on!
People's lives are ending!
Families are tearing apart!
You don't really understand any of this...
...because you spend your life playing cards.
I feel more honest playing cards than I do believing these mountains are mine.
Oh, shit!
Does this phone work?
They haven't slept for weeks. They are so excited.
Can you imagine how they feel?
How close they are, how far they've come!
Listen, Bobby.
I don't know about a lot of things.
But the things I know, I know well.
I try to keep out of the way of stuff I don't understand.
Mostly.
All this is like living your life in the newspapers.
Like you read what to do.
But they make too much out of everything.
Most of the time, nothing's going on.
Just everyday stuff.
You take a walk. You buy a necktie.
You eat a sandwich. Life.
Jesus! You can't live ideas.
Most things that are alive don't even have ideas.
What's really go. Ing on happens before ideas.
Before talk.
Before anybody says anything.
And after.
In the quiet.
It isn't an idea.
It's a feeling. It's like...
...being part of something more than yourself.
Like a song some people sing together.
I don't think this is anything I can explain.
You mean, not to me.
I'm not in there singing, am I?
Something is happening.
I bailed you out, what...
...48 hours ago? I made you a sandwich.
I drove all the way to... I don't even know where this place is.
Then why are you here?
You want to change the world, Bobby?
Change mine.
How can I?
What about my world?
If I go with you...
... what will happen to mine?
It's gonna be okay, Bobby.
What are they bomb. Ing? There's nothing to bomb!
I'm not doing this. This is somebody else.
You got a cigarette?
I came 200 miles after you without a cigarette.
I've never heard it this quiet.
What's th. Is?
I don't know. Nothing.
A scar.
- No, it isn't. Tell me. - Why?
Because you don't want to.
- It's a diamond. - What?
- I swallowed it. - Please.
Tell me.
I knew this old hustler when I was a kid.
You know, a mechanic.
A crooked player.
He showed me how he had this diamond sewed into his arm by a doctor.
So when I was in Yokohama, I bought a diamond and had a Jap doctor do it.
See the idea was...
...that no matter how bad things got, no matter what they did to you...
...no matter what...
...you still have this last chance.
You'd always have this diamond.
You still feel that way?
I was in my twenties.
I do.
Tell me about the boat.
Our boat?
What?
You know about boats?
Do I know about boats?
Where do you want to go, pal?
You want to go to California?
Are you going with me?
Sure, I am.
I haven't been there in a while. Any place else?
Anywhere?
Anywhere in the world.
- Where you been? - Out of town.
- Tell me about the game. - It's tonight.
- What t. Ime? - You got a schedule problem?
- What's go. Ing on? - What are you talk. Ing about? Noth. Ing.
Is this about a broad? About that broad?
It's about a card game. What t. Ime, Joe?
They want to start early. 6:30, same suite.
You feeling lucky?
It's com. Ing. In from the Keys.
I can have it hosed down and refueled by midnight.
- Midnight? - Yes.
They start blowing horns, kissing, nobody notices one little boat.
- Listen, the lady's traveling alone. - Yes?
Can you get her set up okay?
Say, the Edgewater? Nice room?
It's high season in Miami.
But I know a guy who can clear up a room for me.
Just for the night. I'll try to get out of here sometime tomorrow.
No later than midnight for the lady.
After that, who knows?
Boats get impounded, funny things happen.
- He wants her out of the country. - What?
Do you understand me? He wants her out of Havana. Now!
- Who? - Arturo.
Do it!
- What happened? - It's okay.
You've no idea how fried people can get over one boat.
- What happened? - Honest to God!
Everybody's trying to get out. I don't know what's going on.
- Do you have some antiseptic? - Soap's fine.
I tried to buck the line.
Boy! Some people have a short fuse.
And these were women and children.
It was really over a boat?
Yeah, a 72-footer.
Hell, it's worth a couple of punches.
It's arranged?
About midnight.
- My things are at the house. - You can't go there.
I know.
I gotta get the guy with the boats paid off.
There's a fr. Lend of m. Ine, Joe Volp. I...
...he's holding some dough for me at the Lido.
Now, it's gonna take a while. Are you gonna be all right here?
You're good at this.
I like doing it.
Maybe you should go with a prizefighter.
No. You.
Are you sure?
Do you mean...
...do I miss Arturo?
Of course I do.
You shared a lot.
Revolution.
No. He just made me feel...
I wanted to be simpler when I was with him.
More honest. Myself.
How many times have you lost everything? Lots of times, yes?
Maybe it's possible to come back from that.
There are so many ways to be happy, and I...
I feel that with you sometimes. But sometimes...
...I feel...
...terrible about the thought of being happy with you, because if it weren't...
Don't.
Don't say it.
I'll be back as soon as I can. Remember the phone.
One ring, and if it rings again...
...it's you.
So long.
You say someth. Ing, Mr. We. II?
Marion.
What'll you have?
- How's the book coming? - Good. Quite well.
What happened to you?
Aren't gamblers pacifists? Like musicians, afraid to hurt their hands?
You here collecting recipes?
No. I'm off duty.
I thought you guys didn't sleep?
Not cookbook writers.
You guys.
What's th. Is about?
Is Arturo Duran alive?
- Arturo Duran. Why would I... - Where. Is he?
Who has h. Im?
- You're in a funny mood, Jack. - Yes, I am.
I'll tell you how funny.
I'm going to stand up in this bar, and I'm going to make an announcement.
I'm going to announce how a fake fairy from Gourmet Magazine is a spook.
You are, aren't you?
Quiet down, Jack.
I'll break your face.
No, you won't. Not in front of these people.
That's what you are, isn't it? Some kind of spy?
Menocal works for SIM and for you, doesn't he?
The OSS, the CIA whatever it is you call yourselves now.
Don't do anything stupid.
I think I will. Everybody! I want to tell you something!
What?
Talk to me.
Smart.
Here's what I want.
I'm Jack We. II. I got some. Informat. Ion for Colonel Menocal.
Holiday traffic, Mr. Forbes.
Something to report?
Nothing to report.
Why do you come?
I work for some people.
- What people. - You've done business with us.
I see.
A joke.
Not at all.
They want Arturo Duran alive.
Well.
C.O.D.
He's dead.
Now let's not fuck around.
They're not interested in details. They want what they want.
Do they know...
...that Mrs. Duran is in your apartment...
...right now?
Sure. They sent me to Santa Clara to bring her back.
Doesn't do her justice.
Either of you.
It was a good idea, but finally it didn't work. He spit on it.
See, there? Spit.
Let's save some time, okay?
Marion Chigwell's laid it all out.
- I can call him. - Call him.
Remember W. Ilson?
W. Ilson's prepared to offer you asylum. Here it is.
What the fuck. Is go. Ing on here?
You people pay me to keep the Communists under control...
...and now you say, "Let th. Is one go. We need h. Im."
You need him for what?
You're crazy.
You're like, I don't know, like pregnant women.
- You have a whim... - I just do what they tell me. Come on!
And what happens to me?
I'm your trash collector, but when I go to the embassy I'm treated like shit!
Asylum. V. Irg. In. La. And. It's beaut. Lful. Now, where is he?
- And I live on what? - $25,000 and a job.
Another joke?
Okay, $50,000. All cash.
I'll need a few hours to get the authority.
- Where. Is he? - I haven't said yes or no.
- How do I know you can deliver? - I'll show you photographs.
Touch. Feel. Talk to.
They're going to make him part of the new government, aren't they?
Christ, you're fools.
They just want to talk to him. Where. Is he?
You won't get a fucking thing out of him.
He's a real Cubano.
- Yeah? Then what do you want him for? - Insurance.
In case it goes the other way.
You son of a bitch.
What are you do. Ing here?
No, it's all right.
- Where. Is she? - She's all right. Listen.
I'm going to get you out of here.
- He thinks I'm with the CIA. - He's been swindling the CIA for years!
Why the hell do you have to be so ignorant?
- Where. Is she? R. Ight now? - She's safe.
- We're do. Ing th. Is ton. Ight. - You can't!
- Yes, I can. Just do what I tell you. - Why aren't you play. Ing cards?
- We don't have t. Ime for th. Is. - Why?
Once I asked you for help, and you said no!
I changed my mind.
Bullshit!
Are you gonna make it? Or am I just wasting my time?
Come on.
What are you gett. Ing out of th. Is?
Nothing.
You're a liar.
She's beautiful, isn't she?
More than that.
I want to thank you for seducing my wife.
I mean it.
The anger kept me going.
It was like strong, cold coffee.
Sometimes when it was bad...
...the only way to keep my mind together...
...was to concentrate on ways of killing you.
She's a hell of a lady.
Does she know I'm alive?
She buried you, man.
Deal.
Better make it fast.
It's like meat going bad.
He won't keep.
Have him at his house, cleaned up, 11:00. The money will be there.
You want buy a young girl? Some enchanted evening?
What happened? I was so worr. Led. The telephone kept ringing.
- We have a boat? - Everything's all right.
I washed this blouse and dried it in the oven.
Well, almost dry. You don't have an iron. It's so wrinkled.
You look fine. No, I don't have an iron.
I never had an iron.
I can get some new things in Miami.
Are we going?
There's one more thing to do.
- Then do it. - I will.
- Is a 72-footer a big boat? - Yes, it's pretty big.
- We'll take. It to M. Lam. I and then where? - Bobby...
It doesn't matter. Maybe from Miami we can take a train.
A long trip and not worry about where we get off.
Listen, kiddo.
- People don't say that anymore. - Listen to me, will you?
It's from the '20s.
If I had never met you...
...I'd have lived my life...
He's alive.
Arturo's alive.
He's at your house.
And he's okay, and he's waiting for you.
Oh, God.
There's nothing to say, Bobby.
For a moment...
...for one moment...
...I was lost...
...in a sweet place.
But lost.
Wa. It.
Let me take you there.
Nowhere.
Batista's left the country! Come on!
Come on! Let's go!
It's all over.
That's my car!
You stood up a lot of guys.
They're upstairs playing right now. It's not too late.
Yes, it is.
It's 1959, Joe.
Where's the lady?
She's with her husband.
Nobility.
I always said you were a noble guy.
We're noth. Ing but cocks leading our brains around...
...just like the nuns told us, right?
Who's ahead?
Looks like fun.
Time to leave, Jack.
Anejo and coffee.
Things go well?
Great.
How about you? You win or lose?
It's never over, so we never lose.
Then you never win either.
All passengers prepare to board.
Please stand by your cars.
- Have passports ready. - Menocal's looking for you.
He's probably at the embassy.
He's been there and gone.
Last night.
Gone? Where?
Probably V. Irg. In. La.
And I'm off to the Far East, writing a new book:
The Cuisine of Indochina.
Indochina.
Where's Indoch. Ina? I mean, I know, but I don't know.
It's a long way away, Jack.
I'll see you.
Pick a card.
You're not celebrating.
It wasn't my fight.
How is he?
He's wonderful.
He's with them.
You too?
But I thought you might be here.
It's funny.
I didn't know I was leaving until 20 minutes ago.
Were you waiting for me?
All my life.
All passengers should prepare to board.
Please stand by your cars.
That old trick.
The other one was a quarter. This is a half.
Where are you go. Ing, We. II?
Don't know. California, maybe.
How did you get Menocal to let him go?
I lied...
...about a few things.
You don't quite believe what you know, do you?
I do.
I know I love you, Bobby.
And I know a butterfly can flutter its wings over a flower in China...
...and cause a hurricane in the Caribbean.
I believe it.
They can even calculate the odds.
It just isn't likely.
And it takes so long.
All passengers and all autos...
... should be boarding immediately.
Have your passports ready.
You know where to find me.
Walk. Into any cas. Ino...
...and ask any high-stakes poker player...
..."Where. Is Jack We. II?"
Right.
So long, pal.
I do this sometimes. Drive down from Miami.
It isn't that I expect her. The ferry doesn't run anymore.
But it happens sometimes.
I see a boat offshore and...
... something goes faster in me.
Hope, I guess.
What the hell. Fidel Castro was on the Jack Paar Show.
So anything can happen.
I even read the newspapers now.
Not just looking for point spread, the odds or the morning line.
Human interest, that's what I read.
A dozen lines about what happened on a street corner in Indianapolis...
... or identical twins meet after 30 years, smoke the same brand of cigarettes...
... and both married to somebody named Shirley.
Like that.
Somebody came out of Havana...
... told me Baby Hernandez was the big winner that night.
Lives in Jersey now.
And I got a postcard from Joe Volpi...
... postmarked Santo Domingo.
So I guess he's still doing it, running things for Meyer.
It's a new decade. Things are different.
We got our own kind of revolution going.
I'm doing okay these days.
I'm way ahead.
But it's not the same.
I sit with my back to the wall, watch the entrance.
You never know who's gonna walk in.
Somebody blown off course.
This is hurricane country.