Original subtitles

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

Someone had the brilliant idea

that I should done this costume

in order to dramatize the title of tonight's play.

It is called "The Horseplayer".

Just a moment. You forgot something.

I'm sure you want to know who offered this clever charade.

His previous works include the following one minute audio collage.

THE HORSEPLAYER

- Amen. - Amen.

Have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us.

Have mercy on us.

I have announcement* to announce.

That the meeting of the Mother's Committee

has been postponed until next Thursday.

Come in.

Ah. Mr. Cheever. I was expecting you.

Father Amion.

I, uh... brought those figures we were talking about.

I'm afraid it's not very good news.

You see, Father, it's not just a matter of a few broken shingles.

I can plug up one leak, all right,

but another will just break out some place out.

Yes, I understand, Mr. Cheever.

And I have to have a whole new set of drains, down-spout.

I just can't see it... be managed anything* less than $1,500.

Well, I'm sure you've done your best.

Unfortunately, Mr. Cheever, it seems that

the church treasury has as many leaks as the church's roof.

We had so... many repairs this year*.

But I placed the *fax before the bishop, and...

maybe he can work a minor miracle.

Meanwhile,

well, we can only hope for clear weather.

I'm very sorry, Father.

Thank you.

Good bye.

Father.

Will you take a look at this?

What is it?

It's a $10 bill, Father.

*Yes, it is.

I don't think I've seen the $10 bill in the mid-week collections before the war.

Did you see who the kind doner was?

Oh, I could happened to notice him, sir.

Even before he... he gave me this donation.

He was in the first pew on the left.

I don't think he's ever been a service before.

What was so unusual about him?

Well...

he sort of a little rough looking fella, sir.

Sort of sporty pros.

Oh, you mean the gentleman in the sport shrits?

Oh, yes. I did see him.

I don't think it's very charitable* of you,

Morton, to criticize his *.

Oh, I wasn't criticizing him, sir.

Especially after I saw his donation.

I didn't quite mean like that, sir.

I understand how you feel.

It does seem a shame that we should be so... preoccupied without expenses, but...

I'm sure things will improve.

Yes, Father.

The Lord will provide.

Amen.

Dominus*

May I speak to you for a moment?

Oh, sure, Father.

I've been wanted to talk to you for past week.

Oh, really?

By the way, I enjoyed your sermon very much, Father.

Oh, I hope you realize that some of it was meant for you.

I couldn't help noticing how generous you've been to our poor church.

Are you new in the parish?

Oh, no, I've been around this neighborhood over 20 years now *.

You know, I ain't never in much for churches,

in fact the first time I came in here was about...

the two weeks ago on Tuesday.

Well, I'm certainly glad that you changed your mind.

It seems to me I've seen you here several times

during the past two weeks.

Oh, yes.

It... it's okay, ain't it, Father?

I mean you don't mind, huh?

Mind?

- Why should I mind? - Well, I don't know.

By the way, my name is Sheridan, and I...

I sure appreciate it, Father,

it meant an awful lot to me coming here to the church.

- Well, I'm glad. - Yeah, I'm glad too.

You see, when I saw that little sign of yours...

you know the little sign you got outside says...

"Try prayer."

I said to myself what do you got to lose?

You ain't... had no luck at nothing else. So...

why not get this prayer thing a chance? So...

- I came in and tried it. - And did it help?

Oh, boy. I'll say it helped.

Well, it makes me very happy to hear you say so, Mr. Sheridan.

You won't believe this, Father,

but that day I had six winners out of eight.

6 out of 8. And one was 20:1 shot.

I never had a day like that since I've been going to the track.

In fact, I was down to my last two bucks.

Just a moment.

I don't understand what you mean.

The track, Father, you know... the horses.

Look, I don't want you to get sore.

I suppose a guy like you...

you probably don't go in for gamble and stuff like that, huh?

You mean...

my sermon...

sent you to the racetrack?

Oh, no. I was gonna go anyhow.

I go to the track all the time, that's how I make my living.

You see, I... used to be in a hardware business.

But I get kinda tired of it. So...

as I say, when I saw that sign of yours

I said why don't give it a whirl, Charlie,

what have we got to lose?

So... I started praying.

Boy, how I prayed.

Give me a winner please, please God, give me a winner.

So what happened?

I got six of them

and I've been picking them real good ever since.

Mr. Sheridan.

I don't think you understood my message at all.

I said the prayer could work miracles

but not for such... selfish aims.

Well, it sure was a miracle all right, Father.

And believe me, I owe it all to you.

There's been a misunderstanding. You made a mistake, Mr. Sheridan.

A prayer isn't intended for horse races,

you can't pray for your purse,

and neglect your soul.

Oh?

I thought you'd be sore.

Oh, no. I... I'm not angry.

Just look at it this way.

Now...

suppose every one of the track

pray for his horse to win.

Now, you know that is impossible, don't you?

So don't you realize what a dillemma would be presented to the Lord?

Is that fair?

Well, yeah, I never thought of it that way.

I... I guess you're right.

Then you do see the error of it?

Well, uh, yeah.

It... it would be tough.

That is if everybody pray for a winner, only they don't. See?

Everybody ain't wise to this prayer racket, Father.

And that's their hard luck, ain't it?

Come in.

- Father Amion. - Yes, Morton.

That man... he's back again.

I suppose you mean Mr. Sheridan?

Yes, Father.

As I passed his pew a few minutes ago,

he kept say something about Satan?

Satan?

Oh, I don't think you heard correctly, Morton.

Oh, yes. I did, Father.

He kept saying Satan or...

a devil or something like that.

That's it. Red Devil.

He kept saying it over and over.

I wouldn't worry about it, Morton.

Red Devil is undoubtly the name of a horse.

Excuse me. Can I see Father Amion for a minute?

Come in, Mr. Sheridan.

I... hate the burden.

I ain't like this, Father.

- I... I know you are a busy man. - That's quite alright, Mr. Seridan.

That's why I just came in to make a little donation.

Uh, by the way, you know that roof of yours is leaking?

I just got a shot a word right in the head.

- I'm aware of it. - Well...

anyway, as I was saying I came in to donate this thirty bucks.

You see, I was out the track yesterday.

And I had a pretty good-sized bet* on horse named the Branding Iron,

you know, winner* the horses that I was praying for.

So as they lined up at the starting gate

I said to myself if the Branding Iron wins this race,

I'm giving thirty bucks to the church.

So there you are, Father.

He wins by 7 ranks.

There's no need for you to tell me where your donation comes from.

Mr. Sheridan. I thank you for it.

But I'd rather not discuss the source.

Oh, you still mad at me, huh?

I was never mad at you.

I'm praying for you, Mr. Sheridan.

Oh, yeah?

Boy, now I know why I can't miss.

Oh, don't misunderstand me.

I'm praying for your soul, not your horses.

Oh?

Now I don't want to think that I'm ungrateful.

*Fact is, as you know, our church is a poor one,

and we can use any donations.

You've been a great help.

And I appreciate it.

You're welcome, Father. And you deserve it.

And if I ever got anything special,

you know, horse that's real hot,

and you'd like to put down a little money...

Rarely, Mr. Sheridan.

Wait a minute.

I think I got just the horse prayer.

Red Devil in the fourth race at Belmont

do you mind if I use your phone a second?

Mr. Seridan.

Remember where you are.

I'm sorry, Father. I... I only thought that...

I have no wish to interfere with your way of life.

And I certainly don't want to be involved with it.

Our church will survive...

without race horses.

You take care of that cold, Mrs. Spencer.

And tell your husband I'll stop by to see you next week.

Hi, Father. Can I give you a lift?

Oh, no thank you.

I'm only going a few blocks and I rather enjoy the walk.

How do you like it?

It's brand new and I don't even owe a nickel on it.

It's a very handsome vehicle.

Yeah, thanks.

Funny how these things walk out.

Hang* you know, it's less than a month ago I only had two bucks to my name.

Remarkable.

You know something, Father?

You know how many winners I had last week alone?

- No. - 14 out of 18.

Seems every time I pray real hard for a horse,

it turns out to be practically a sure thing.

See, Father, I couldn't help but notice that roof of yours still needs fixing.

You... ain't had no luck raising a dough, huh?

Not for the moments, no.

Well, look. I know how you feel about the races and all that, but...

if you got a few bucks to spare, there's...

a horse going as S* name Sally's Pal.

Mr. Sheridan,

I thought we've closed that subject.

Well, just listen to me a minute, Father.

Let me tell you about this horse,

you see, they've been training him in secret,

I got it straight from the owners that the horse is absolutely ready.

In fact, he busted the track record by over two fifth of the second.

Not only once but a couple of times.

This afternoon, he's starting his first big race

and all he's got against him is bunch of broken down filly* g*.

I don't have to tell you, Father, you know how colts run away from fillies.

I know nothing of the kind.

Well, take my word for, Father. They run like burglars,

and according to the morning line

the horse had to pay about 15 to 1

probably even more than that.

So it looks like a pretty good spot for you to pick up a fast buck.

And if I really start praying.

I'm afraid I have to go, Mr. Sheridan. I...

I have a church council meeting this morning.

Well, it's up to you, Father.

All I know is I'm putting my last buck on this horse,

right on the nose. So...

if everything goes all right, I'd probably won't be seeing you around no more.

- Why is that? - Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you

I'm buying me a place down in Florida.

It got a wonderful location right between the Catholic church and Hialeah.

Well, I wish you the best of luck, Mr. Sheridan.

I really do.

Thank you, Father.

Uh, Mr. Sheridan.

You're really sure of this horse, aren't you?

Oh, sure. I'm absolutely positive, Father.

You know, like I told you, I've been praying real hard all week.

Plus which I know the horses got to stuff*.

If... if someone bet $500 on this horse

and... what might he expect to win?

Well, let me see... waiver say the horse comes * * horse

only pays 10 bucks.

The least a guy could pick up would be about $2,500.

- $2,500? - Mm-hmm.

Mr. Sheridan. If I were to...

give you...

$500

could you...

arrange this transaction for me?

You mean it, Father?

Would you?

Oh, sure, I'd be glad to. You know, you doing to me,

I'd do it to you.

- Good morning, Father. - Good morning.

Closing out your savings account?

- Yes. - Anything wrong, Father.

Nothing wrong.

Our service has been satisfactory, hasn't it?

Very satisfactory.

How would you like the money, Father?

Doesn't matter. Oh...

put it in large bills, please.

- Fifties? - That will do.

- Thank you. - Thank you, Father.

Okay, Father. Good luck to us.

I... I don't know what came over me, your Excellency.

I've never done such a thing before.

Now, now, Father.

I find it hard to believe you could have done anything really wrong.

The moment I did it, I regreted it.

If I could found him, and I would've stopped him, but...

I don't even know where to reach him.

Please, Father.

How can I help you if I don't know what it is you've done.

Your Excelleny,

I bet money on a horse.

I see.

And just how much money did you bet?

All I had. $500.

I went to the bank and closed out my savings account.

Well...

that is something to be concerned about.

What had possessed you, Father?

You were never a gambling man,

nor you ever care much about the money.

I don't care about the savings.

I just hope that I make enough money

to pay for the roof repairs we needed for so long.

I see.

I shall never forgive myself for what I did.

I still never understand why I did it?

The man... I... I gave the money to,

he seemed so sure of himself, so... successful.

Help me to understand what I've done.

Help me.

Help me, please. To explain it to myself.

Yes.

I find it hard to believe, Father.

If I didn't know you better,

if you were a young man,

I might understand such rashness.

But it's 40 years.

40 years since you took your vows.

And to do such a... such a... such a foolhardy thing.

I know. I know. Please...

tell me what must I do?

You say...

you don't know how to find this man

to whom you gave the money.

No.

So there's no way of preventing this bet from being made?

No, there isn't.

You see... the race is this afternoon.

Then there's only one thing to be done.

Only one way to make restitution.

And that is?

You must pray, Father.

You must pray as you have never prayed before.

And I'll add my prayers to yours.

You must pray for that horse not to win.

Not to win?

Yes.

You can't expect a reward for your error.

No matter what the consequences.

I can see no other expiation.

Except to ask the Lord withold this victory.

You must pray for this with all your might.

But the money, Your Excellency.

We're in such need now.

The money does not matter.

You're right, of course.

I'll do as you say, Your Excellency.

We must pray that the horse... won't win.

*

Soul of Christ be my santification.

Body of Christ be my salvation.

* Lord.

* asking sorrow and repentance.

Amen.

Father Amion.

Yes, Morton.

Look, he's back.

It's alright, my son?

I understand.

You understand what?

About the race this afternoon.

You've just returned.

Yeah, I just got back a little while ago.

And... this horse, this... Sally's Pal, it did win?

No. it didn't.

Well, now I don't want you to blame yourself.

You were trying to do good in your own fashion.

Whatever blame there is, must fall on my shoulders.

I just don't understand it though, Father.

You know, it was sure thing if I ever saw one.

At the head of the stretch he's leading by four lengths

then all of a sudden, he quits on me.

I just don't understand it.

Sure thing like that, and he quits.

Trouble is I had my last nickel bet on him right on the nose.

So... now I'm back just where I started from with two bucks in my pocket.

I think maybe I ought to go back in a hardware business.

What do you think, Father?

I think it's a very good idea.

Yeah, I think so too. Well...

Anyway,

here's your money.

My money?

Well, yeah.

you don't think I was going to risk your dough on a win bet, did you?

I took the 500, I bet them to *place so...

he came in second and paid $8.40. So...

they are... $2,100 you won.

The sponsor is being unusually difficult

about this matter of the horse costume.

I've explained the labor-saving advantages of employing a real horse

to do the work of two men,

but he is so enchanted with this palm of his

on the word Horseplayer

that he insists on having it out with me.

I should be back shortly.

It will only take a minute to put him in his place.