Original subtitles

Thank you.

I've been 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, and 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 damn good chance of having the time of your life.

We'll be right

back.

Check.

Check.

Bet 10.

10, raise 20.

You guys know something I don't?

Raise 25.

What the hell? Come in.

Sorry, Captain.

But Tony, the bar boy, saw a couple of guys breaking into the cars. Wait a

minute. What was your bet?

See you and raise your 25.

I told them they cannot do that, but they say there's him, and they can do

they want.

25?

Take your time, Captain.

All right, check that call.

I'll be right back.

Who the hell is he?

S .I .M., military intelligence.

Batistas Gestapo.

This is an American ship registered in Miami.

As far as you're concerned, it's American soil. There are arms on this

Have you found arms on this ship?

Here's the license number.

Maybe we'll have to detain the ship in Havana, sir.

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

That deck is off limits except for the crew.

You're violating every international maritime law there is.

And unless you could show me some kind of a search warrant, I'm reporting you

the U .S. Embassy.

We have been advised there's contraband on board this ship, sir.

Advised by who?

Just because you've got a military, you can't control a bunch of rebel kids

throwing nails in the street.

It's mine.

It's your car, sir?

You copied the wrong plate, amigo, but that's my gun. Why, is there a problem?

Do you want to see my permit? It is prohibited to bring weapons into Cuban

territory. Can we talk about this outside?

Okay? I'm sorry for the fuss, Captain.

After you, sir.

Okay, folks, everything's been settled. Just relax, have a nice time, have a

Christmas drink on the house.

Mrs. Durant?

Marion Pigwell.

We met the last time I was in Havana at Nettie Greenfield.

Of course.

Hello. I don't know if Nettie told you, I'm writing an article on cuisine of the

Caribbean for Gourmet Magazine.

Really? I was wondering, she said you know a woman who's supposed to have the

best cook in Havana. What will happen to that man, I wonder, the man who owned a

gun?

Well, they'll probably give him a hard time.

Can I buy you a drink?

Thanks, no.

It's no joke, my friend.

It's a very serious offense.

I see no permit here, sir.

Yeah, well, maybe I got it right.

Maybe I need a new permit.

Come on, guys, it's Christmas Eve.

We are no longer issuing permits, señor.

That's why I 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.

So, what were you doing late last night?

Palm beach parties?

No, just... Just last -minute Christmas shopping, huh?

Senor.

Three hundred.

That's a lot of money.

Say, could you excuse us? There's a guy really sick in here, okay? Use the

window upstairs, please. Thanks.

Four hundred.

You just said three.

You're ungrateful.

Okay, I make it three fifties.

It's a kind of piquant thought, and it's extraordinary.

Hey, wait a minute, man. What?

Where's my gun?

Well, you go out on the deck, and you look over the railing.

Way over.

He does it with fresh cilantro instead of parsley. I'm so sorry, Jack. Excuse

again.

Down, Taylor.

Surprised. Don't women ever ask you to dance?

Not women as beautiful as you are.

Thank you, sir.

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

What?

That all that hustle were one little gun.

Oh.

Well, 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.

It's going the other way.

Smells good, though.

Wasn't your gun, was it?

It's cute.

I got some friends. $500.

No, thanks. I haven't even told you before.

It's silly, really. Is it?

Because you don't seem silly to me.

Let me get you want to drive your car off the boat, but it's suddenly

a little problem like too much weight in the axles

Okay

now

you can't be doing this for a living be too lousy I'm not

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?

Be against my principles.

Go ahead.

One, two, three, four.

The way it works is half now, half later.

That way it 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 ten -four.

The payoff.

You want to tell me what kind of car or should I just try them all?

A green town in the country.

Mine's a Cadillac convertible.

Naturally.

swell.

Okay.

Your passport, please.

Thank you very much.

Hey, what happened there?

Look for Arturo. Tell him something must have happened.

He's getting out of the car, sir.

What's in the box what's in the box?

Probably hand grenades open them

Here, why don't you take a couple for the kids?

Jack.

Hey, Ramos. Where's the story?

Right here.

interviewing your fellow Americans.

It's amazing.

No one is afraid.

Oh, yeah? Should we be?

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

No, I know, I know. It's like pesos to you. Or any foreign currency. If it's

an American dollar, it's worth nothing. Say, Johnny.

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

revolution is real. We're almost too early for this bullshit. I just got in.

Have you seen Joe Vaughn?

Never mind. Welcome back.

Hello, Jack. How are you, Jack? Go to check your messages. I've been trying to

reach you for a week.

What are you talking about? I've been putting together a stake.

You can't run a game without a stake. Yeah, well, it's off. There's no game

you to run.

Mike McClaney on, too, Joe.

Later.

You're kidding.

No, nobody's interested in ice -fakes poker right now. We got a little, uh,

confusion going on down here.

What, you mean the revolution?

Hmm. Well, but there should be a lot of loose money. People cashing out. Yeah,

they're cashing out. You know what they do? They give the money to their wives.

They buy holy statues. The wife shoves a few grand up St. Anthony's. They have

to fly it to Miami. Forget poker.

Langan's down three. He wants three more, Joe.

Let me tell you something I learned in the Pacific, Joe. Nothing like the sound

of some gunfire to stimulate a little action.

Is that right? Yeah. Well, somebody blew up an ammunition dump in Coimbar last

night. You see any big players out here? They're out there. They're just not

playing. They don't smell blood.

Hey, I thought we had a deal. They're not playing because they don't know

going to happen. Come on, man. They're sweating out there. I can smell it. This

is exactly the time to set up a big one. Jack.

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

right? This group wants this guy, the other group wants that guy.

Meanwhile, it's Coconut Castro's broadcasting shortwave from the

talking insurrection.

Change he's talking about.

Change what?

They don't know what the hell they want. Okay, and that's why they're going to

come to play. They're looking for something they can do something about.

play poker? Play poker in your apartment.

Players I'm talking about.

You don't walk up three flights.

Joe, I can make this thing happen.

I mean, they got to walk around the tables. It would heat things up. A big

Nice shoes, Jack. New?

Well, there are other places.

Not really, Jack.

Maya still runs this town.

Take it over, Joe.

Only don't take too long.

Revolution might go away.

I think I feel lucky. Let's go play. Great.

Twenty -two black.

Place your bets, folks.

You're going to bet seven, right?

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

This way you'll lose also. It just takes longer.

Nineteen red.

Oh. Here, I got it. Never mind. I got it. Sorry.

Cigarette lighter. Cigarette.

Passport. U .S.

Wallet. Here we go.

Okay.

Want a daiquiri?

Ginger ale, please.

Ginger ale and a daiquiri. Ginger ale and a daiquiri.

Let me give you your money.

Parking ticket and...

Six, seven, eight.

It's all here.

Aren't you impressed?

What do you think, I'm just some kind of jerk trying to pick you up?

Why should I change my mind, mister?

A while.

Bet you can call me Jack.

And what's your name?

Meredith Smith.

No, no.

What do you do, Mr. White? Are you a magician?

Anne.

Shirley. Oh, Jesus, not Shirley. It's, uh... Catherine.

Roberta.

What are the radios for, Bobby?

Did you think I wouldn't check?

A worthy cause.

Oh, is it worthy enough to get me stuck in a Cuban jail?

Yes.

What are you, some kind of fanatic?

Thank you for helping me.

I'd like to see you again.

I told you I'm married.

Did you know?

You didn't.

I'm sorry. It was unintentional.

Too bad.

You know, this isn't like the state people fool around here. I think it's

climate.

I keep a place here.

Small flat.

But it's one of the really old buildings. A lot of charm.

Discreet. You're very straightforward, aren't you, Mr. Wilde?

Well, I... Hey, I can be suave.

Believe me.

But I figure you don't 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 that.

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. What do you need with the revolution?

Look, Mr. White, you did me a favor. I'm very grateful, but you're arrogant.

What do you need to know about Cuba?

Well, who's in charge?

And how to stay out of trouble. What do I know about any... It's not enough, you

know.

Do you believe in luck?

Nope.

I really have to go.

Thank you.

Pero son los CRC -30 que yo te dije. Yo, yo también.

Son las 5. ¿Dónde cobran?

I got a message for Joe Volpe.

This is Jack Weil.

Tell him I'm not playing cards.

Dos pesos.

We're playing straight draw.

You bluffed me, man. I know it. What's the word for bluffing this time?

Bluffing. One night of sin is

what I'm not paying for.

The thing I did and I saw would make the rain

stand still.

me feel so ashamed.

I've lost my sweet helping hand.

I've got myself

Cost you a grand.

I'm

in.

All for you, amigo.

Also some coffee when you get a chance.

Hey, it's Baby Hernandez.

Saw what they say is true, huh, Jackie?

What? That you'll play anywhere.

Anywhere they'll have me.

You in?

Deal. I get to make a call.

Deuce Trey, up the street, 9 to 5, office hours.

There are ladies.

Four clubs, suicide king, seven to three belong to me.

Ladies bet.

Ladies bet 300.

I'm in.

It's all.

Good action, congenial surroundings.

That's all I asked for, man.

Jack, Jack, Jack. I got impatient.

Well, you're in no position.

Got your attention, though.

I always said, Jack, if you thought about anything but snatching poker,

a remarkable man.

Look at those poor sons of bitches. They're gonna trade in that schmuck

for what?

Some other schmuck. What do you think, Joe? You worried?

They spit on Nixon, South America.

They spit on the vice president 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, 10 % rate, the way we said.

That's not enough.

I want more, Joe.

I played every Elks Club and Moose Hall in America, Joe.

And 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 begged me just to run a game. Now you want to get bankrolled?

Hey, didn't I save your life during the war?

I was in Vegas.

Well, I would have.

What is this? I don't think 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.

One world at a time.

I don't know. I find an old -fashioned strongman like Batista sort of charming.

You ask that joke, it's now stale. But who is he, Castro?

It's the voice on the radio.

Is he a communist?

What is a communist?

In Russia, communism is boring. You bring it to the Caribbean.

By the way, Marianne, it's the daiquiri here and the mojito at the... Felipe.

Daniel.

Hey,

do you speak English?

All the time.

I told you he was American.

Listen, we can't decide. What you want is a daiquiri. It's daiquiri. Daiquiri.

Dos.

And what if I don't like it?

You will. My name's Jack Wilde, by the way.

I'm Diane.

And she's Pat.

Down here marlin fishing?

Merry Christmas, señoritas.

Your first trip to Havana?

We're almost. Where's the story?

There's two beautiful flowers in the story.

Welcome to Hemingway's Favorite Bar. Oh, we know. We were hoping we'd see him

here. I'm Diane, and she's Patty. Hello.

He didn't tell you?

Tell us what?

Son of a gun. I so like you, Ernie.

Ernie? Ernest Jack Hemingway.

Where's the beard?

He's traveling in Colito.

Hello. I'm Marion Chigwell. I write for Gourmet. Hello. Are you? Hello.

Hello.

Weren't you on the Key West ferry a couple of nights ago? I don't know. Was

wearing a beard?

No, no beard.

Hey, what about Castro and them?

It's all just danger.

Would you excuse me? What? Nice meeting you, ladies.

Shoving off?

Yeah, I still have three restaurants to try before midnight. I'll see you

around. Okay.

You think he's a fruit?

Lying about something.

Okay,

ladies. Start at a place where the tourists don't drink.

You want to try mojito?

Oh, sure. I want to try everything.

All right.

Cuatro mojitos, por favor.

What about you, Diane?

I'm Patty.

You're right. I'm just testing. You want to try everything too, Patty? I sure

hope so.

Hey, listen, listen.

See the guys at the end of the bar?

Dressed in white. They're Batista's secret police.

Yes, I am. Same.

What do they want?

What do they want?

They want to keep something from happening is what they want.

Well, that'd be too bad.

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.

Oh, yeah?

I think this is a very important man in your existence.

Hey, are we going to eat here or later?

Hello. It's been a long time.

Do you have a moment?

For you? Are you kidding?

Good evening.

Oh, Senora Duran.

I didn't know your husband knew Jack Wilde. Oh, yes. Hi.

I'm Diane.

Hi, Diane. This is Patty. This is Patty.

Sorry, Ramos is okay, but he's a reporter after all.

Yeah.

You don't know who I am, do you?

Mr. Ramos gets all choked up when he talks about you.

You know Latin.

I wanted to thank you for what you did. My wife says you were amazing.

Can you have supper with us?

No, no, I don't. Of course you can.

Please.

It would make us very happy.

Salud.

I think you will like the food.

I've eaten here.

Mr. Wilde keeps an apartment in Havana.

Oh!

You spend a lot of time in Havana?

Well, I come down here to play cards.

Gambling?

I try to keep the gambling to a minimum.

How do you do that?

By being good at it.

These guys in the shade, they don't worry you?

Not so much.

Oh, not because I'm brave.

You see, for Batista, there are two classes of people in Cuba, the

and the non -torturable.

I come from a well -known family, an old one, rich, too rich.

So... No, gracias, Rafael.

Más tarde. Hasta luego.

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 ask you to do something more... Oh, no, no. I don't play cards for that.

No. 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 life, Mr. Wilde.

Isn't politics just a kind of hope?

Still politics.

What about fairness?

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 that. I think you're making Mr. Weil

uncomfortable.

I'm sorry, 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. Wilde really

doesn't give a damn.

Hey, I know politicians, okay? I play Carson.

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 think I ought to join my friends.

Well, it's 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 had reckoned to know.

Oh?

Someone has to be responsible for changing people. Maybe so, but I don't

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 beautiful women, Mr. Weil.

The American job, sir.

Santos, how's it going?

Twilight of the gods, Jackie.

We went to junior high school together. Can I say this?

What?

Having a good time, lady?

It's okay, but... I want to see the real Havana.

Oh, yeah?

I don't know why.

It's what you came down for, isn't it?

Which one are you?

Which one are you?

Lost you last night.

You're the one about the prostitute and the parrot and the pig.

The prostitute and the parrot and the pig are floating along a raft.

And the parrot, the pig... You don't

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 did he say last night?

Did he say anything?

Was he worried?

What did he say?

He said it was non -torture.

Right. So they just killed him?

Senor Wall, Joe Volpe has been calling, looking for you.

He said he has been able to arrange the party.

Varadero Suite at El Lido.

Okay.

Hey, are you not telling me something I should know?

What about the wife, man? 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.

You understand that.

Get down.

Permit me, Colonel.

like you from the country club?

Tell me!

Perhaps you know them from the hairdresser or the gear club?

The heavy hitters, Roy Forbes, Canadian, 10 minds, loaded. Who were the

wrestlers?

Bodyguards. One of our players is a little unpopular lately, Colonel

Run thin.

Gentlemen, gentlemen. Who do you know, Jack? You know Willie?

You can't let me go. Somebody said you were sailing off Venezuela.

You know, baby, Roy Forbes, Jack Weil.

Captain? No, Lieutenant.

Paustino Coro.

Client's a grand, Jack.

Give me three.

She's going to stick her toe in the water, Jack.

You're letting this bum in the game, Joe.

I'll let you in, Mike. Who the hell am I going to refuse?

What's up, Joe?

Colonel Medical. Jack Weil.

Oh, mucho gusto, Jack.

Colonel.

Table steaks, $20, Randy.

Dealer's choice.

We play against Joe Volpe's money or yours.

All mine, I'm afraid.

In honor of you, Mr. Forbes, Canadian stud.

You know how to play?

Sure.

Four cards straight, a flush pizza's there.

Okay with you?

Of course.

Hey, I seen your friend Dante DiCenzo in Miami.

Did he tell you I own this joint now?

Practically. The feds made him so.

Since the key father, you can't own a joint in Vegas and Cuba.

Little louder, Mike. The bugs aren't working too good. They may not have

up every word.

This is public knowledge.

It is now.

When you play poker, Mike, you got to ante first. One of the main rules, huh?

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.

Fifty.

Three is to get in and to get out. This is not Shanghai, Willie.

This is Havana, Cuba.

Any chance Mrs. Duran is alive?

Play poker, Jack.

Whose bet is it?

It's Jack's bet.

Wait, senora.

Surely you know something of value.

Something I can tell my colonel.

Would please him.

I would be sergeant, maybe.

Come in here, senora.

I want to show you something.

What can happen?

You see what can happen?

You know this pretty girl?

Her name is... Monica Eloy.

17 years old.

She was a drama student at the university before it was closed.

She had a scholarship.

She made her own wealth.

She could... She could... I know very well that she made her own clothes.

She made that dress.

I'll drown before I tell you one thing.

You'll die a corporal with some of it.

What am I supposed to think?

When you raised, I thought you had seven after that.

Now you want me to think you have hearts?

But then you wouldn't have checked.

Eight hundred.

Three.

Five more.

I'm out.

You're trying to sustain it.

Abby, my friend.

Four hearts beats a pair, right?

It's up to you, Mr. Forbes.

Want to call it a night?

Yeah.

You're too lucky, Jack, and I'm too tired.

It doesn't pay to underestimate you, Jack.

Cheese, amigo.

Mrs. Duran is being questioned by authorities.

You're the authorities, aren't you?

Yes, I am.

Hello, Maya.

Buy some breakfast, Colonel.

I assure you I will.

Sure.

Everything satisfactory, Mr. Forbes?

Except for the losing.

Sandwiches were great, though.

Well, maybe we can make a little more interesting for you next time. Yeah.

I might try it again.

See you a while, Mr. Forrest.

So, how'd it go?

You know how it went.

I remember you now. You still play a decent game of poker. Are you going to

tomorrow?

What are you doing with the colonel?

I'm just curious.

Stop it!

If you're looking for broad speaking with better political affiliations,

a lot of foolish people running around Havana these days.

Where'd you take a marker from the lieutenant for?

Oh, he's okay.

He's a jerk.

You know how long it's going to take a lieutenant in the Cuban army to buy back

his marker? Ten years.

Joe, are you going to talk to Meyer?

I don't know yet.

Rank has its privileges, huh?

Boss goes home to sleep?

Then here you are.

Is there something I... Yeah.

This little marker.

Well, it will take me a little time to... Hope, he says, ten years.

Well, no. If you're lucky.

Which you definitely are not.

First class.

By the time your boss wakes up, you and your wife are sitting in a Miami hotel,

sitting by the pool, sipping a slow gin fizz.

And why would I do that?

Because the political situation stinks down here.

And it's getting worse.

Because I think they'd probably pass you up for promotion if you were to let a

friend of mine out of here.

The woman you ask about, huh?

American passport.

She shouldn't be here.

Nobody should be here.

And to pay for the slow gin fish and dinner?

Two thousand, American.

Good luck, madam.

Do you have any friends?

Where you can go?

I'd like to walk a little and 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?

No, no.

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 going to work or not.

Where are you from?

I don't know.

Philadelphia.

I have friends in Philadelphia.

But I don't know them.

Yeah, I think... 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.

Oh, you will be.

Sit down.

Go ahead.

What day is it?

Sunday.

Someone has to get to Santa Clara.

What's going on at Santa Clara?

Just before Santa Clara, Arturo's family has to think a country house.

Just... The side of Santa Clara, and sometimes the rebels use it, and they

know that.

Where are you from, Bobby?

I mean, where'd you grow up?

Sweden.

I thought a Scandinavian country.

Uh, do you have family there?

Yeah, yes.

Are you in touch?

No.

Christmas.

It's Christmas now.

Not this Christmas.

You ought to be in touch with him.

You really ought to make a point of it.

So you came down here from Sweden, huh? What, to warm up?

No, I was in California. I lived in California.

Hollywood. Hollywood?

Well, you get around. What were you doing in Hollywood?

Well, I... I saw Garbo when I was a kid.

Garbo, huh?

Oh, right, 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. Be pals with Taylor. Well, that's one way to do it.

So you came down to Cuba from sunny California.

I came here from Mexico.

Hold it. What happened to California?

I married a writer and he was blacklisted, so we had to leave the

Commie, huh?

Well, I've known good ones and I've known bad ones.

You're all Westerns.

I like Westerns.

I don't know what they have to do with anyone, but I like them.

He hated Mexico.

He started drinking and then it was finished.

I should have got some king clothes.

No, we'll get you some. Here.

So, how did it go for you in Mexico?

I mean, did you get any acting jobs or anything?

Yeah.

I did.

I was always la gringa.

My favorite was when I played the daughter of a mad scientist, and he...

replaces my brain.

She replaces my brain with the brain of a gorilla.

And my sweetheart, he 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 ten days in the States.

What did IP say?

Dodgers moved to L .A.

Giants moved to San Francisco.

And you can see yourself on television in front of the RCA building.

Hey. See?

Do you want to go back, Bobby?

I can get your feet anytime, anywhere.

I don't think it's safe for you here anymore.

Why are you doing all this?

For old time's sake.

Do you want to rest for a while?

I'd like to take a shower.

Okay.

It's over there.

You 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 would... He'd like to play poker with you sometime.

I'd rather take a nap in here.

Sure.

Here, I'll close the shutters.

No.

No, that's why I like it.

You don't have to stay.

I live here.

Would you put on a record?

Yeah. Congratulations.

Meyer's interested.

What?

Forbes has a couple of heavyweight Canucks coming down from Montreal.

Oh?

Something wrong?

Nothing's wrong.

Good.

Be at Meyer's party tonight.

He wants to get a look at your face.

With any luck at all, I can set this up in a day or two.

And get there around 11. Meyer won't be there before that anyway.

What's this?

What are you up to, Jack?

What's going on?

It is 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?

She's also beautiful.

Look at beautiful women all over Havana, Jack.

This one's exceptional.

$2 ,000 is high, huh?

Even if she's exceptional, it's high.

Mira, Jack, first -class seats are difficult during the holidays.

Don't wait.

Come on, Colonel.

She's pretty. I did her a favor. That's it, okay? What do I want with a

revolutionary?

You think I care about any of this stuff?

But you need to care.

You need to care because your father didn't manicure his nails and didn't

okay?

My old man coughed up his lungs in the cane fields.

And you know who owned those fields?

Huh?

Arturo Duran's family.

These people get tired of fucking you one way, they fuck you another.

Jack, you and I, I mean, these people want to bring down everything you're

for.

The food, the fucking, the gambling, the shows.

They think this is all for a government to decide.

What do you think?

I made a mistake, Colonel.

Yes, you did.

You're a damn good poker player.

I got out.

You know what I'd like to do with my life, Jack, if I weren't a policeman?

What'd you do?

I love the game.

Don't start doing the wrong thing with your life.

Wait a minute.

You've got to celebrate with me tonight, Jack. Come here, come on.

herself a Christmas present.

Chinese, a negrita, and the other one was, I think, Danish.

I wasn't.

I fell left out.

Jackie, you gotta celebrate with me. The other night, you said we were on the

same boat.

That's right, we were. It was a very elegant lady.

Roberta Durant. Yeah, you danced with her. She's a friend of mine.

Terrible about her husband. Have you seen her?

Disappeared, they say.

Disappeared? Come on.

Disappeared. She was released.

It's easy to lose track of people in Havana. You're damn right. I was trying

find her for an interview myself. Excuse me. I need to find the head.

Imagine what it looks like in this place.

Listen, 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.

No. He'll leave in Havana tomorrow. What are you going to do?

Well, I was going to join Fidel up in the mountains, but they say you have to

bring your own car, so I'm going to Miami Beach instead.

All right.

No, no, 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.

Yeah.

We want to be so much like you Americans.

You're getting messy, Chico.

No, and we need to be ourselves.

Have something to eat. The food is terrible in Florida. No food, baby. No

all right?

I'll miss you.

Ramos, you be careful.

Okay? Yeah.

See you. Yeah.

Hey, Jack.

I'm hearing rumors about Big Popper.

No limit.

It might be true. Where's Joe?

Down the hall.

Getting the bad news.

Joe,

we're going to set up in the same suite.

What's he saying?

He said, take off.

Hey, nobody's serving out there. What is this?

They're fighting in the streets of Santa Clara.

Santa Clara?

Rebels just cut the island in half.

You know, half is smaller than they have, Jack.

Meyer, it's Jack Weil. Where's the fucking offensive I paid for?

Well, it's supposed to be an armored train.

Oh, an armored train, like China, like Siberia, like the box of fucking

rebellion. You shut up and listen to me.

Here's what you're going to do tomorrow.

You're going to go to the people and you're going to talk to them. And you're

going to explain to them how upset I am.

You're going to tell them they better get off their asses and start fighting

pretty soon or they're going to go back to being a bunch of fucking banana

eaters like they used to be.

You're going to remind them that the only reason that there's civilized

in this country is because the Americans came here in 98 and beat the shit out

of Spain.

Batista's own palace had a fucking outdoor crapper before we put one

Now, the only reason he's got an army is because we gave him one.

Well, he better start using it or he's going to wind up on some street corner

selling beans like he started.

We invented Havana.

goddamn well move it someplace else if he can't control it.

Now you explain that to him.

You want to go for a walk, Jack?

Sure, why not?

What do you think, Joe?

Are we rained out?

No, no, no. Game's still on. He said he'd back it, he will.

He's full of tantrums, Meyer. Doesn't interfere with business.

Listen, the professor, is he around?

The professor's here, Jack.

Still screwing widows at the National.

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 Pirates 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, Joe?

I don't know.

But if Batista takes the powder, it's all over.

Havana's closed.

Forget the army.

Forget the generals. They'll all be running for their yachts.

Sounds crawling with spooks now.

Used to be all you had was the FBI in your ass. No more.

You taking heat from them?

No. 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, Jack.

I'm not a citizen anymore.

Not a citizen.

What do you do if the rebels take the city, Joe?

Maya's talking about Santa Domingo.

You ever been there? It's nowhere.

Maybe we'll go to Costa Rica.

I got a friend there.

Retired.

Widow.

Maya'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.

Joe, when are you leaving?

Last.

Hiya, sonny.

Hiya, Professor.

Joe Volpe said you were back.

Been in time at the National, huh?

Twin sisters from St.

Louis loaded with Missoula.

Rebels are fighting in Santa Clara.

Yeah, history's overtaken us, my boy.

The wheel turns.

I hope you stay till the bitter end. No, I'm going.

One more game.

Want to come with me?

Take the ferry, drive straight through to Vegas. You want to go to Vegas?

Nonsense.

Atom bombs and fandy pussy.

What's your hurry, kid?

I always stayed here too long.

Every time I came down here, I thought, this is where anything's possible.

I'm going to find the best fuck in the biggest game of my life.

I'm ahead. I'm way ahead, man. This is it.

It's stupid for me to stick around too long.

I met this woman.

I know her 72 hours.

And, uh... 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 somewhere somehow has a woman that's nuts over

him.

Women are perfect.

The rest is bullshit.

I can't. She took off.

I think I know where she is. She's down there where they're fighting.

Goddamn to find out why.

It's time to get out, Professor.

So when are you leaving, Sonny?

After the game.

I just... I just get this...

What are you gonna do?

Hell, I don't have to do anything.

But you do.

Look, look, okay, I've got somebody I've got to get out of there, okay?

Americano. Santa Clara, I've got a friend in there, okay?

Amigo, Americano.

Speak Spanish.

Americano.

I've got to get out of here.

No,

señor.

What has happened here? Where's the woman with the car? Where's the...

Hey!

Hey!

Where's the... Where... Donde esta

finca, Duran?

Woman! Señora!

Means lost, right?

Bye -bye, Yankee.

I got your note.

How did you get through?

Why not speaking Spanish?

I didn't think I'd see you again.

Yeah, that's kind of how I thought it would go, too. What is this place?

This is our tour of Spain.

What are you doing, Bobby?

The rebels have a transmitter hidden out back.

I don't understand why you came.

Are you sorry?

What's the transmitter for?

They tried to contact Havana tonight. Tried to contact a group. They don't

When I was in prison, I saw Bufano.

Who's Bufano?

Well, he's with us. He's supposed to be with us.

Talking with the police.

I don't believe it, but I saw him. So I'll try to... So you tell the rebels

to contact the group, huh? Then what?

I don't know.

Menachal's looking for you, Bobby. 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.

And if he's looking for you, he's going to watch the airports and the ferry.

What do you expect me to do?

Get out of Cuba.

Just for a little while, okay? I know a guy with boats. I can't. I can't be now.

Why not?

Come on, do you think one out -of -work actress is going to make any difference

here? Yes.

Oh, come on.

What has this got to do with you anyway?

This isn't our business. This is their business.

Christ, you put this place on like a costume.

You've got your lines in Espanol.

You're not poor, you're not hungry, and you're sure as hell not Cuban. I don't

have to be Cuban to know when things are unfair.

Things are unfair. Where the hell have you been?

Well, I don't want to live that way. You married into this thing. You don't

marry into a revolution. God, if you need a war to make sense out of things,

run the rest of your life. Don't tell me how to make sense out of my life. I

don't know anything.

All you see here is a place for a card game because there's a fever to gamble

now. But 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. And I feel more honest playing cards than I do trying to make believe

these mountains are mine.

Diego!

Can you run?

I'm sorry about your husband.

Thank you.

We heard voices in English and we didn't know you were here. Something has

happened. We don't have... We're outside, please.

He's a friend.

I don't care.

Please.

Does this phone work?

They haven't kept for weeks. They're 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.

The things I know, I know well.

I try to keep out of the way of stuff I don't understand.

Most.

I don't... 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 going 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 there's just anything I can

explain.

You mean not to me.

I'm not in there singing, am I?

Something has happened.

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?

What about my world?

Can I go with you?

What would happen to mine?

It's going to be okay, though.

This is somebody else.

Got a cigarette?

I came 200 miles after you without a cigarette.

I've never heard it this quiet.

What is this?

I don't know.

Nothing.

The scar.

No, it doesn't tell me. Why?

Because you don't want to.

It's a diamond.

What? Yeah.

I swallowed it.

Please.

Tell me.

I knew this old hustler when I was a kid.

You know, a mechanic.

A crooked player.

And 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 I 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'd still have this last chance.

You'd always have this diamond.

You still feel that way?

Oh, hang on.

I might want it.

Yeah.

I do.

Tell me about the boat.

Our boat?

What?

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?

I haven't been there in a while.

Anyplace else?

Anywhere.

Hi, Jack. Hi, Joe.

Where you been?

Out of town. Tell me about the game. It's tonight.

What time?

What, you got a schedule problem?

What's going on with you, Jack? What are you talking about?

Nothing. Is this about a broad?

Is this about that broad?

It's about a card game. What time, Joe?

They want to start early.

6 .30, same suite.

Are you feeling lucky?

Coming in from the keys.

I can have it hosed down and refueled by midnight.

Midnight, huh? Yep.

They start blowing holes, hitting everybody. Nobody notices one little

Listen, Willie, the lady's going to be traveling alone.

Yeah.

Can you get her set up okay?

Save the edge water? Nice roof?

I see it in Miami.

But I know a guy who can clear up a roof for me.

Just for the night.

I'll try to get out of here sometime tomorrow.

No later than midnight for the lady, Jack.

After that, who knows?

Those get impounded, funny things happen.

He wants her out of the country.

What? At the end of it.

Do you understand me? He wants her out of Havana now.

Who? Arturo.

Vamos. Let's do it. Arturo.

What happened?

Look, you have no idea how fried people can get over one little boat. What

happened? Oh, Mr. God.

Everybody's trying to get out down there.

I don't know what the hell's going on. Do you have some antiseptic?

No, no, no. Soap's fine.

See, I tried to buck the line.

Boy, some people have a short fuse.

These are women and children, too.

It was really over a boat?

Yeah.

72 -footer.

Oh, hell, it's worth a couple of punches.

It's arranged?

Yeah.

About midnight, huh? My thing's at the house. No, you can't go there.

I know.

I gotta get the guy where the boat's paid off.

Uh, there's a friend of mine, Joe Volpe.

He's holding some dough for me at the Lido.

Okay? Now, it's going to take a while, so are you going to be all right here?

Yes.

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.

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. I feel

that sometimes, but sometimes I feel terrible about the thought of being

with you because if it weren't for... No, no, no.

Don't.

Don't say it.

I'll be back as soon as I can. Remember the phone.

Yes, sir.

One ring, and if it drains again, you.

So long.

You say something, Mr. Watt?

Mary?

Jack.

What do you have?

How's the book coming?

Good, quite well.

What happened to you?

Aren't gamblers supposed to be passive?

Like musicians, afraid of hurting their hands? You here collecting recipes?

No, I'm off duty.

Thought you guys didn't sleep.

Not cookbook writers, huh?

You guys.

Is Arturo Durano alive, Marie?

Arturo Durano?

Why would I know? Where is he?

Who has him?

You're in a funny mood, Jack.

Yeah, I am.

I'll tell you how funny.

I'm going to stand up in this bar, Marie, and I'm going to make an

I'm going to make an announcement how a fake fairy from Gourmet magazine is a

spook. You're a spook, 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.

Minical works for Sam Antwoord, doesn't he?

The OSS, the CIA, whatever it is you call yourselves now.

Don't do anything.

Yeah, I think I will.

Everybody, I want to tell you something, Jack.

What?

Smart, Mary.

Here's what I want.

Jack Wilde, I got some information for Colonel Manicow. I bet it.

Holiday traffic, Mr. Ford.

Something to report, Jack?

Nothing to report.

When do you come?

I work for some people.

What people?

You've done business with us, Colonel.

I see, I see.

A joke?

Not at all.

They want Arturo Duran alive, well, COD.

I lost him. He's dead. Hey, hold it.

Now, let's not fuck around.

They're not interested in details. They want what they want.

Rodríguez,

And Mrs. Duran is in your apartment.

Right now.

Sure, they sent me to Santa Clara to bring her back.

That's a loss.

Doesn't do her justice.

Either of you.

It was a good idea, but finally it didn't work. Speed on it.

See there?

Speed.

Let's save some time, okay?

Marion Chigwell's laid it all out.

I can call him.

Call him.

Remember Wilson?

Wilson's prepared to offer you asylum. Here it is.

What the fuck is going on here?

You people paid me to keep the communists under control and then now

and say, let this one go. We need him.

You need him for what, coño?

Mira, you're crazy.

You're like, I don't know, like pregnant women.

You have a whim, Coyo. I don't ask questions. I just do what they tell me.

come on.

Come on. And what happens to me, Coyo?

I'm your trash collector, but when I go to the embassy for a visa, you treat me

like shit.

Asylum.

Virginia. And it's beautiful.

Now, where is he?

And I leave him what?

$25 ,000 and a job.

Another joke, Jack.

No holiday.

Okay,

$50 ,000, all cash.

I'll need a few hours to get the authority.

Where is he?

Hey, calma, calma. I haven't said yes or no. How do I know you can deliver the

goods? 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 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, you know. Yeah? What do you want him for, then?

Insurance.

In case it goes the other way.

Juan, let him in.

Arturo.

Arturo.

You son of a bitch.

You son of a bitch!

What are you doing here?

No, no, I'm sorry.

Where is she?

She's all right.

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 right now? She's safe.

We're doing this tonight.

You can't. Yes, I can. Just do what I tell you. Why?

Why aren't you playing cards?

We don't have time for this. Why?

Once I asked you for help and you said no.

It changed my mind.

Bullshit!

Are you going to make it?

Or am I just wasting my time?

Come on.

What are you getting out of this?

Nothing.

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.

Yeah.

She's a hell of a lady.

Yeah!

Does she know I'm alive?

She buried you, man.

Better make it fast.

He's laid meat going back.

He won't keep.

Head to this house, cleaned up, nicely dressed, 11 o 'clock. The money will be

there.

You want very young girl? Some enchanted evening?

No, no.

What happened? I was so worried. The telephone kept ringing and ringing. It's

all right. It's all right.

We have a boat? Everything's all right.

I washed the spoils and dried it.

The oven.

Well, almost dry, but you don't have an iron, do you? It's so wrinkled.

It's fine.

Oh, you look fine.

No, I don't have an iron.

I never had an iron.

Well, I can get some new things in my house.

Sure.

Are we going?

There's one more thing to do.

Well, then do it. I will.

Is a 72 -footer a big boat?

Yeah, it's a pretty big boat.

Well, we can take it to Miami and then where?

Bobby? It doesn't matter. Maybe from Miami we can take a train. A long train

trip in a compartment, not even worry about where we get off. Listen, kiddo.

People don't say that anymore, kiddo. Listen to me, will you?

It's from the 20th.

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.

There's nothing to say.

For a moment, for one moment,

I was lost in a sweet place.

Lost.

Wait.

Let me take you there.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is 1959!

Come on, let's go.

Thank you.

You stood up a lot of guys, Jack.

Would you believe they're upstairs playing right now?

It's not too late.

Yeah, it is.

It's 1959, Joe.

Where's the lady?

She was with her husband.

Ah, nobility.

I always said you were a noble guy, Jack.

Nothing but cocks leading our brains around, just like the nuns told us.

Jack?

Looks like fun.

Time to leave, Jack.

Things went

well?

Yeah. Great.

What about you?

You win or lose?

It's never over, so we never lose.

Then you never win, either.

All passengers, prepare for board.

Please stand by in your cars.

Medical's looking for you.

Probably at the embassy right about now.

No.

He's been there and gone.

Last night.

That's the way they work. Gone.

Where?

Probably Virginia.

And I'm off to the Far East, writing a new book.

The Cuisine of Indochina.

Indochina?

Where's Indochina?

I mean, I know, but I don't... It's a long way away, Jack.

I'll see you.

Marion?

Pick a card.

You're not celebrating.

It wasn't my fight.

How is he?

He's wonderful.

He's with them.

You too.

Yes.

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.

Uh -uh.

The other one was a quarter. This is a half.

Where are you going, Wilde?

Don't know.

California, maybe.

How did you get Menachal to let him go?

I lied.

About a few things.

You don't quite believe what you know, do you?

Yeah, 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 odd.

It just isn't likely.

And it takes so long.

All passengers and all auto should be warning immediately.

Have your passports ready.

You know where to find me?

Walk into any casino.

Ask any high stakes poker player.

Where's Jack Wild?

Long time.

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 is on the Jack Parr show.

So anything can happen.

I even read the newspapers now.

Not just looking for the point spread or 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 marry 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 Volpe.

Postmarked Santa 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 going to walk in.

Somebody blown off course.

This is hurricane country.

Yeah.