Original subtitles

Gamblers are a strange breed.

They throw good money after bad in the hope of a big score.

But that doesn't happen a lot.

Mostly you lose.

But what if you knew the outcome before it happened and so had absolutely no

risk of losing?

That'd be great, wouldn't it?

That would be irresistible.

That would be twisted.

Hello to you all.

My name is George and I'm a gambler.

A compulsive gambler.

I'd like to tell you my story.

It's a story of a loser.

It's been 22 months now since I last had a bet.

I was a typical gambler.

I'd bet on anything, give odds on anything.

I gambled every day of my life.

I lost everything.

Everything except my wife.

She hung in there when it got pretty scary.

You see, well, I still have some money to pay off to some pretty ugly people,

but I figured they can wait a little longer for their money.

I hope.

I had something more important I needed to do.

I bought my wife a car.

You see, I lost her car in my last bet.

So this is my advice to you.

Get yourself a goal, a symbol.

Repay your debt to someone who loves you.

I did this.

I worked and I saved.

I'll get around to repaying the rest of my debts when I can.

But in the meantime, I've repaid the most important debt of all, and that is

to my wife.

A brand new car.

So, anyway, I hope this has been of some inspiration to you all out there.

So, thanks.

Let's hear it for George, everyone.

Good on you, George.

New car, eh?

How about that? A new car.

Thank you, George. Thank you. Thanks, George.

Now we conclude the proceedings in the usual way.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot understand, to carry out

the same thing I can, and to live to the purpose.

Wow.

So that's the baby, eh, George?

She's a beauty.

Your wife lets you drive once in a while, eh? What's her name?

Pardon? Ruth. Her name's Ruth. Ruth.

Beautiful name, that, George. Straight from the Bible.

Beautiful name.

Just like her car, eh, George?

Yeah, I guess.

Look, I'll see you next time, eh?

Can I give you a lift somewhere?

Oh, George, you're such an inspiration.

Truly, you are an inspiration.

If only I could do this like you.

If only I had your strength, George.

Now, you mustn't talk like that.

Anyone can do what I've done.

You just have to put your head down and attend the meetings. You can do it.

You have a sponsor, you know, in the group.

No, I've only just moved here.

I don't know anyone here, you see.

Well, I'm still gambling. Not as much as I used to, but still a little.

Well, I don't know if I can sponsor anyone yet. It's too soon for me.

Look, if you need someone to talk to sometime... Oh, that'd be great.

I was hoping to meet someone tonight. I'd like to buy you a drink.

Let's go to the pub on the corner. My name's Peter.

George. I really appreciate this, George. Really.

Well, I don't have too much time.

Ruth expects me home straight after the meeting, you know.

Please, George. Just one beer. Please.

Any wife as good as Ruth is to you would understand.

Well, it's just that... Well, we shouldn't drink.

Especially not in pubs.

Alcohol is the natural enemy of the compulsive gambler. Please, George. You

are a great inspiration to me.

Please.

Cheers, mate.

Yeah.

I really admire you, George.

Boy, that's a nice car.

Ruth must be proud, huh?

Yeah, I'd better call her.

Don't want her to worry.

Peter. Hey.

What are you doing?

What are these?

Don't worry, mate. I carry them everywhere.

Reminds me of who I am.

Sort of like rosary beads, you know.

Yeah.

We'll just make a quick phone call. Funny how they call it the lady, lady

luck. You know what I mean, George, don't you?

In my experience, women and gambling don't mix.

Never bet on a woman, eh, George?

Recipe for disaster.

Ruth, it's me.

I'm just... I'll be a little late.

No, everything's fine. I'm just having a drink with one of the members, you know.

He needs a little help.

No, I know, Ruth. I'm just having the one, I promise.

Look, I'll be home in half an hour, for sure. Right, Wayne.

Should I be OK?

Sure. Yes, the car's fine, Ruth. I mean, really.

Yes, I am being careful.

Ruth, please don't...

To GA, our saviour, and lady luck.

To GA.

This'll have to be the last one, then I'd better be off. The delicious roof

beckons, eh, George?

Like a siren in the tumultuous storm.

Calling out to you to take your chances.

Chances, eh?

You've got to watch those seductive little triggers.

It goes like chances, wager, bet.

Luck.

Dangerous words for the likes of us. Isn't that right, George?

Yeah, that's right.

George, can I confide in you? I can, can't I? I know you're not my sponsor.

I'm not asking for that. But could I tell you something?

I've got to talk to someone.

I guess so. I don't know if I can help. Thanks, George. Go ahead.

I want to show you something.

$10,000.

I'm still gambling.

I won this today, the trifecta. But you see, I'm getting better. I walked away

with it. I walked through the gate with still three races to go.

Well, that's good, isn't it?

You understand?

You can't go cold turkey.

I'm getting better, aren't I? I'm afraid not.

Gambling's gambling.

You have to stop altogether.

If you haven't stopped by now, you're going to lose that.

Carrying that money around with you is just asking for trouble. It'll burn a

hole in your pocket.

You mark my words, it'll burn a hole. Nothing's sure of it. But that's just

it, George.

I won't have this to lose.

I've got debts.

I owed 10,000 and I won 10,000. It saved me.

Don't you see?

God wanted me to win it. Pay my debt and then I can quit forever.

All right.

But now you must commit, okay?

You pay your debt and then stop, right?

Right.

Pity there wasn't a little left over for a nice new car, eh, George?

I could use a car.

No, you're right.

I was just saying, but you're right.

You're a big help, George.

I think God sent you to me as well, just to make sure I stop.

We'll have this last beer, and I'll let you get back to Ruth's warm, nurturing

bosom.

You're a lucky man, George.

I bet that Ruth is some woman, eh?

Yes, sirree, you're one lucky punter.

What was your poison, George?

You know, when you're gambling.

Cards? You look like a cards man to me, am I right?

I was compulsive.

I bet on anything.

You hold still comments.

Yeah, I played a little cards.

Thoughts on it?

I could tell.

You know, a lot of people don't realise the skill in cards.

It's not just a game of blind chance, no sirree. It takes real skill.

And nerve.

More nerve than skill even.

Cut. No way.

Why not? We're not gambling. It's just cutting the cards. Just a game. No

betting. Absolutely not.

Perhaps you're right.

I just thought it would show how we've gotten our problem under control.

You know, it seems to me it takes more nerve not to gamble than you need if you

actually are gambling.

Now, if we could cut the cards and leave it at that, haven't we proved something

to ourselves?

It would give us confidence in ourselves.

I know it would for me.

But I must bow to your experience.

After all, you're the one who's licked his brob.

But if you can't cut a deck of cards, how cute are you?

This is helping me, George. Just keeps the compulsion under control, you know.

How about you?

It's fun, isn't it?

Yeah, it is. It's fun.

Hey, what's this?

Money, George.

Dreams.

You know, you remember.

Hey, steady. Relax, will you? We'll just use it to play with no betting.

At the end, you give it back.

It's not gambling. It's just... Think of it as matchsticks.

You know.

What's the harm?

It's your money, kid.

Good on you, George.

What's the harm?

I'll cut again.

Sure, if you're not happy.

You?

You'd have won that.

Would have.

Couple more beers, thanks, mate.

These people you owe money to.

Aren't they likely to run out of patience?

Especially when they clock you driving around in their car.

I had to buy the car for Ruth. It's a chance I have to take, part of the risk.

I'm just hoping they'll figure I'm no good to them dead.

Must be great to just wipe out all your debts, just like that.

And to finally be safe on the street.

That would be a present.

A real present to Ruth.

She must love you a lot.

Yeah, I guess she does.

You are one lucky punter.

Let's do the cards again.

with the money.

Again. Only this time winner takes all.

No way. I can't afford to lose this money.

Come on.

You know you want to.

You've got to have one last bit before you can quit.

Five grand against my car.

I'll cut again.

You?

Ready?

Bad luck.

But I've got to say, you ought to take this as a valuable lesson, Peter.

to the bathroom.

Sure.

You all right?

Not really.

Be back in a minute.

I'll be here for you when you get back.

Bartender, a drink for me and my friend. Have one yourself and pass the phone,

will you?

Ruthie. Get some change at the cigarette machine, mate.

Well, tonight we won't have to worry about any more of their threats. It'll

be over.

Ruthie, I absolutely promise you I have not gambled. Thanks, mate. Ruth.

Look, Ruth.

Sorry.

I'll be home soon, then you'll see.

What are the chances of losing your friend?

I'd like to buy you a drink.

Katie.

What are the chances?

It's odds on.

Yes, sirree, a sure thing.

You all right, then?

What do you think?

If we get that money back somehow, tomorrow I'll be dead.

It'll work.

You want to go double or nothing? No way. No cards, no gambling.

Ruining my life.

Okay, no cards.

I could do something else. Oh.

What if I were to say I could get that girl over there to buy me a drink?

She's gorgeous.

You'll never hope in hell.

Exactly.

So what have you got to lose?

Give you a chance to win your money back.

Forget it.

Knowing my luck, she'll probably undress you on the bar.

Look. It's a dumb bet. She can't possibly be interested in me.

I've taught you your lesson.

Look, I'll put up the five plus my car.

Remember how you said women and gambling don't mix?

Never bet on a woman, you said.

It's a recipe for disaster.

So, put your money where your mouth is.

Who's car?

Ruth's car.

This $5,000 against your $5,000 plus the car.

Yep.

And no tricks.

She's got to invite you to sit down and buy you a drink. No bribes or any funny

business. None of that.

From one gambling man to another.

A bet's a bet.

You're on.

Okay.

Wish me luck.

It's not very funny, George.

Hi, Katie.

My name's George.

I got your note.

I'd love to have a drink with you.

Really?

You must be joking, George.

Why on earth would I want to have a drink with an old loser like you?

I didn't send the note to you.

I sent it to your friend.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

Thanks for the lesson, George.

Guess it wasn't my pocket the money burned a hole in.

Hey, your name George?

It's for you. It's your wife.

Ruth. Ruth. The courage to change the things I can. Ruth. And the wisdom to

know the difference. Ruth. God granted me the serenity to accept the things I

cannot change.

Ruth.

Did you give her a message?

Tell her I'm sorry.

Tell her I said goodbye.

They just left.

Good luck, Ruth.

Love, George.

Luck's got nothing to do with it. Poor old George.

Gamblers never learn.

Best place to find a gambler is Gamblers Anonymous.

You can bet your life on it.

Thank you.