| Odds
Summary from official site, www.duesouth.com via Wayback Machine Fraser and Kowalski arrest the legendary Denny Scarpa, a beautiful professional poker player. When the Feds want to use Denny as bait to capture a dangerous fugitive, Fraser discovers the stakes are much higher than he imagined. The Chicago PD is cracking down on gambling. With Kowalski as their man on the inside, they stake out a big money poker game. Unfortunately, they aren't quite prepared for a masked man who blasts a hole through the wall and takes off with the pot. The robber, Joey, gets away but the police arrest a professional poker player: the beautiful and legendary Denny Scarpa. To Fraser's surprise, Dief falls in love with Ante, Denny's poodle. The Feds turn up and offer Denny a deal. She's scheduled to play a grudge match against Farah, a fugitive on their ten most-wanted list. If she helps them capture Farah, they'll drop the charges against her. When Joey turns up at Denny's apartment, Fraser is worried that Joey may be trying to eliminate her as a witness. Fraser takes Denny to the consulate for protection. Kowalski warns him not to fall in love with Denny: she's a dangerous woman with a mysterious past. On condition that he be allowed into the game with Farah, Fraser hands Denny over to the Feds. The cops try to teach Fraser to play poker, but they're frustrated by his natural honesty. They think he's bluffing and he wins every pot. On the big night, the Feds and the Chicago PD set up a surveillance room next door to the game. Just before the game begins, Fraser learns Farah killed Denny's brother. As he watches on the monitor, Kowalski realises that Joey is at the table. Farah's not the most dangerous man in the game after all. Kowalski bursts in, creating mayhem. Fraser pursues Denny onto a ledge, and as they balance there, with the city below them, Fraser must make a difficult decision. Written by Rob Forsyth
Regular Cast
Guest Stars
ALEX FARAH - Terry Harford
Unofficial Transcript **A card table** [Ray is undercover, overseeing the game] Player: Well that's it. I'm gutted. Denny Scarpa: Usually a half moon screws me up. Tonight, I'm lucky. Go figure. Player: Well it's been a bad month. It's been a bad night. Well, a bad year. Denny Scarpa: Hey, there's always another table. Player: Yeah, always another hand. Denny Scarpa: That's right. Player: Well, 'til then. Denny Scarpa: Thank you. Player: Oh any time. [He leaves] Denny Scarpa: C'mon Ante! [Whistles. Dog jumps onto chair] That's my lucky charm. That's a good girl. You in gentlemen? You can't win if you're not in. *Observation van* Fraser: She sounds very confident. Dewey: With reason. Denny Scarpa's one of the best. They call her Lady Shoes. Fraser: Why's that? Huey: She likes shoes. Fraser: Oh. Dewey: Good as she is, I think I could take her. Huey: Please, you think you can take her? Dewey: Yeah I think I could take her. And you want to know why? Huey: Why? Dewey: 'Cause she's a woman. I mean, not to disrespect the gender, but the game of poker was designed by men, for men. And that is why the men know… Fraser: Actually, if I'm not mistaken, poker derives from the ancient Persian game of ?Aszhnas?, which was designed as a diversion for the young women of their imperial court. Huey: No kidding. Fraser: Well, it first made it's way to North America by way of the Persian sailors who taught it to the French settlers in New Orleans. Now of course, the French added their own terms for betting to the game, such as..er…[with a French accent] "I poke you for a dollar. I poke against you for two dollars. I poke against the three of you for three dollars."…well, and so on. Eventually under the influence of the Northern or the Yankee accent, the game came to be known…as Poker. [During this speech we see a man setting a bomb. After Fraser finishes, the bomb blows a hole in the wall, throwing Ray across the room] Dewey: Go! Go! [Ray takes out his gun but the man kicks it out of hand. He orders Denny Scarpa to fill a bag with the money on the table. Ray leaps on him but is elbowed in the stomach. The man goes to the door, but hears the others on their way up, so he jumps out of the window. Fraser enters the room and goes to the window] Ray: Fraser, I would not…. [Fraser jumps out but lands badly] Ray:….do that. [Ray runs out the door and shoots at the guy, but he gets away] Ray: You alright? Fraser: [Still prone, in obvious pain] I'm not sure, I got….my back. Ray: Y'know, Fraser… Fraser: Mmm hmmm? Ray: From the second floor… Fraser: Mmm? Ray: There's always the other option. Fraser: Which is? Ray: The stairs. Fraser: Oh. Right, well, I'll remember that. Ray: You get the plate? Fraser: No, I was…indisposed. Ray: Great. That is…great. That's another night wasted. All night, for nothing. [Dewey and Denny Scarpa emerge from the building. Diefenbaker has taken to Denny Scarpa's dog, Ante] Fraser: *To Diefenbaker* Where do you thinkn you're going? Denny Scarpa: [To Ante] My poor baby. She hates explosives. Fraser: Most animals do. [to Dief] Dief, she's out of your league. Diefenbaker: Woof Fraser: Well, she is. Ray: What's with Dief? Fraser: I'm not sure. Might be love, then again it might just be worms. Ray: What's the diff? Man, I sure as hell did not think explosives. Y'know I'm supposed to be the inside guy on a simple gambling bust, so I can go to court and say to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the defendant was raking in the cash. Fraser: Well Ray, it's very difficult to anticipate an exploding wall. Ray: Fraser, I'm paid to anticipate. Fraser: You can't always predict the outcome. [Fraser watches Denny Scarpa leave in a police van] Ray: Please, don't tell me you have a thing for her. Fraser: For who? Ray: You know who. Lady Shoes. Fraser: I don't know her. Ray: Exactly, and you never will. She's a card player - you never get to know a woman like that. Fraser: Alright, if you say so. Ray: Welliivvfff, that's what I just said. Fraser: Well I know, I heard you say that. Ray: Yeah, forget about it. [Phone rings] Ray: Yah. Welsh: [shouting] Guy blows a hole through a wall, he jumps through with a gun, and you don't get him Detective? No, not good! That's why the press is always pushing for more SWAT teams, because we got cops who don't know how to use their guns. [During this call, the scene switches to Welsh in his office. Frannie enters wearing a shoulder holster] Frannie: Ah, sir? Welsh: Have you got a licence for that? Frannie: For this? No! I'm just sort of trying… [She takes out the gun and points it at Welsh] Welsh: [Gently pushing it away from him] No, nononononono. Frannie: I'm just trying it out! Y'know, sort of as a preamble to wearing heat. [She shoots at the door - it's a water pistol] Frannie: I'm taking self-defence! Welsh: You gonna defend yourself by drowning somebody to death? Frannie: Well, I thought it'd be a little more humane than, y'know, blinding some guy or kicking him in the….uh, y'know…the nether regions. Welsh: The nether regions? Frannie: Yeah, well…um. Actually sir, I'm…um…I'm kinda wearing this for a different reason. Welsh: Passion. Frannie: No. Uh…I've sorta been thinking about the...um…the academy. Welsh: You wanna become a cop? Frannie: Well…become a cop, I don't know about that. I'm just…um…I'm just, y'know, really, sort of, basically… uh… tossing it around in my mind until I can … um … resolve the uniform issue. Welsh: The uniform issue? Frannie: Yeah, well, my head is shaped a little weird and I can't really wear a hat. I was the only girl at my first communion at our Lady of Immaculate Conception who couldn't wear a veil. Welsh: Well…uh…y'know, that would be a problem. Frannie: Yeah, but…um…until I work that out I…I was just hoping that, y'know, maybe you could steer me in the right direction. Welsh: Sure, I can give you all the advice you need to get into the academy. I don't know what I can do about this hat thing. Frannie: That's great! That's…that's fine! I'll…I'll worry about the hat thing. That's… thankyou. Um, sir…yeah, do you…do you think we could… um… y'know, just sorta keep this under… Welsh: Under our hats? Frannie: Well, yeah. Until…In case it doesn't really work out, y'know. Thank you. **Interrogation room** Dewey: Look like you might be here a while, so can I get you a coffee or a tea? Denny Scarpa: Yeah, I'll take a coffee. Black. Dewey: Black. Denny Scarpa: It's gonna be hard to drink it with… [rattles cuffs] …these on. **Corridor** Welsh: Alright, where is she now? Ray: Uh, she's in Interview 1. She's not being very helpful - said she
didn't see the guy.
Ray: Uh…can't tell. I brought up those assault charges from the poker game in Arkansas. I said you'll do time, she said…so, I'll do time. Welsh: Not easy to scare Denny Scarpa. This ????? I know, his cousin sat in on one of her tables, supposed to be 10 years ago. Even then she had ice water in her veins. Ray: Uh…she claims we tried to kill her. Fraser: Well, she does have a point, Ray. Ray: No, she doesn't have a point, she's…uh…just pissed that she didn't make me for a cop. Welsh: Point is that she doesn't identify this guy, she's not a material witness. Ray: She was looking right at him. Welsh: Oh, so she's lying? Why? Ray: Uh…hiding something. Fraser: Perhaps she's frightened. Welsh: Yeah, well, maybe I'd better go talk to this legend. See who's got the better bluff. [Fraser turns but wrenches his back] Fraser: Mmmm! Welsh: What? What! Back? Fraser: Yah. Welsh: Back. Put your hands on the desk… Fraser: Mm hmm. Welsh…uh-huh, take you knee… Fraser: Mmmmm! Welsh:…now breathe. Fraser: Hoooo! Welsh: Breathe! Fraser & Ray: Hoooo! Hoooo! [2 Feds enter] White: Agent White. Exley: Agent Exley. Welsh: Oh Feds. White: You want us to come back after yoga, gentlemen? Exley: You're Constable Benton Fraser of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. White: First came to Chicago on the trail of his Father's…. Welsh: Yes he is. Now what do you want? Exley: Denny Scarpa. Welsh: When we've finished. White: It's been cleared. [Gives Welsh a piece of paper] **Interview room** Huey: I play a little poker. Dewey: Me too. Denny Scarpa: Of course you do. All cops play poker. A little poker. Dewey: A little poker? What's that supposed to mean? Denny Scarpa: I'm just stating the facts, gentlemen. Card? [She beats them] Denny Scarpa: Not quite good enough. Next. [She beats them every time] Dewey: No one can be that lucky. Denny Scarpa: Are you insinuating that I cheat, detective? [Welsh enters] Welsh: Gentlemen, take five. White: Agent White. Exley: Agent Exley. [Huey, Dewey and Welsh leave] Huey: Nice suits Exley: So, Denny Scarpa. Denny Scarpa: And you are? White: Coupla guys who might be able to help you out. Denny Scarpa: In exchange for… Exley: You give us Alex Farah. **Corridor** White: Hang onto her Exley: You clear it with Welsh. Denny Scarpa: Mind if I use the ladies? [White and Exley do some kind of secret nod] Exley: Yeah it's alright. Denny Scarpa: Ok. Ante! **Welsh's office** White: We're gonna cut a deal. Welsh: Oh. Imagine our surprise. White: She's got a game set up. We got word that one of the guys we're looking for is gonna be there. Alex Farah. He's suspected of extortion, market fraud, murder. He's a card player. Been out of the country for a coupla years but he's coming back for a grudge match against Scarpa. We'd like to put in an appearance. Ray: Well Farah sounds rough. Why don't you just get Scarpa to tell you where the game is, y''now, and... White: The lady's the attraction. He doesn't want to just play poker, he wants to go toe to toe with Lady Shoes. She doesn't show, he doesn't show. It's been a pleasure. [He leaves] **Ladies room** [A civilian aide enters, wearing a poncho] Denny Scarpa: Hi. CA: Hi. [Takes off poncho] Ah, sure feels good to get that thing off. Denny Scarpa: Yeah. Traffic bad? CA: A cop cut me off. You believe that? Denny Scarpa: Mm hmm [they laugh. CA goes into a cubicle, Denny Scarpa leaves in her poncho.] White: We're all set. Where's Scarpa? Exley: The restroom. CA: Hey, where's my poncho? Exley: Will you excuse me for a moment? [He goes into the ladies' room] Exley: Agent White? **Welsh's office** Ray: She saw him Lieutenant, all we have to do is, um… Frannie: Sir? Scarpa got away. The feds let her go to the bathroom and she… White & Exley: She outwitted us. Frannie: Yah. Welsh: You want me to call the bureau, or you guys think you can handle that? White: I think we should take a look at this from another angle Lieutenant. You find her… Exley: We don't tell the bureau that your station house lost a federal asset. [They leave] Welsh: Well, I guess we'd better find her. Ray: How? **Street** [Fraser and Ray are following Ante and Diefenbaker] Ray: Fraser, you think this is one of your good ideas, following around the wolf? Fraser: It's the only lead we have, Ray. **Apartment building** DM: [Whistles] No dogs in the building! Ray: Says who? DM: Me Ray: You are? DM: The guy who keeps the dogs out of the building. Ray: And that, uh..what about that dog? *indicating Ante* DM: Well, that dog's different. That dog I know, this dog I don't know. Ray: Well, this dog's with me. DM: Yeah, and who are you? Ray: Chicago PD. Where does this dog live? DM: 1410, but she's never in. [They go into the elevator] Ray: Who, the dog? DM: She's not a dog. No, she's got legs that go, uh, all the way to the top. But like I said, she's never in. Ray: Good, I'll leave a note. Out. Fraser: Thank you kindly. **Apartment**. [Denny Scarpa is with the guy who did the robbery] Denny Scarpa: Not so smart to come here, Joey. Joey: Well you're ok, you got out of it. Denny Scarpa: Yeah, I took care of it. But the game is still on. Joey: What for? We got plenty of money. Denny Scarpa: Just one more time. Joey: It's dangerous. **Corridor** Fraser: We aren't really going to leave a note, are we. Ray: No. We're gonna break in, look through her personal possessions and use her can without a warrant. **Inside** [Denny Scarpa and Joey are kissing] Denny Scarpa: Just one more time, and then we can be together always. [She hears Diefenbaker barking] Denny Scarpa: Joey, take this. [She gives him a gun] [Ray and Fraser enter] Ray: Look generally it's not a great bet to come back to your place of residence once you've escaped police custody. [Joey runs out from behind the door. Fraser and Ray give chase. He shoots and Fraser then runs downstairs. Fraser follows him into an alley, but then sees a car coming straight for him. Ray runs into the alley and sees the car. He tries to turn and run away, but he is lifted to safety by Fraser who is hanging from a pole above the alley. The car passes underneath.] Fraser: I'm sorry! [He drops Ray, then falls himself] Fraser: Ow! Ray: Damnit, Fraser, if you were gonna drop a guy, you gotta say something first like, 'Ray, I'm gonna drop ya'. Fraser: I'm sorry Ray, but with my back being the way it is, it was extremely difficult to hang on. Ray: Ok, I guess I'll let it go this time. You get a plate? Fraser: No, I was otherwise occupied. Ray: I guess I gotta do everything. Fraser: Oh, so you got the plate then? Ray: No, I did not get the plate, Fraser, but… Fraser: Alright, well what did you get? Ray: I got the girl. [Fraser and Ray stand. Still holding hands, they look up] **Apartment** [Denny Scarpa is handcuffed by her ankle to a table leg] **Street** Denny Scarpa: People lose money they carry grudges. It's a danger that comes with the territory. It's just never been this close. Fraser: You say you've never seen this man before. You've never played with him? Denny Scarpa: Hm mmm [Shakes head] Fraser: Likely he was hired by a third party. Uh, if you don't mind me saying so, you pursue a very dangerous occupation. Denny Scarpa: And the strange thing is, I wanted to be a physician. I was in premed at NYU, and one weekend sat down at an open table in Atlantic City. Put my textbooks in the garbage can and I never looked back. Fraser: Do you regret it? Denny Scarpa: After this thing? Yes. [She gets into the GTO] Ray: Watch your head. Don't tell me Fraser, she is one great lady. She feeds starving children so we're gonna have to stick out our skinny necks. Fraser: Oh, I'm not sure about the starving children Ray, but… Ray: You're a good guy, Fraser, and one of the good thing about you is you take people at face value. She's different. She is a card shark. Fraser: Ray, we know that this man is dangerous, and that he probably came here to eliminate a witness, and if that's the case he'll undoubtedly try again. Furthermore, in the absence of a hard and fast deal if we hand her over to the federal agents it's unlikely that her protection will be a high priority. Ray: Do not fall for her, Fraser. Fraser: We have to protect her. Ray: Do not fall for her. Fraser: I'm not. Ray: All right. What's the plan? **Consulate bedroom** [Fraser is giving Denny Scarpa a pair of his longjohns] Fraser: Of course, I'm not…uh, well, I'm not sure what it is that you actually wear when you're not wearing any clothes. I mean, when you're…uh…This may not be appropriate. Denny Scarpa: No, it's perfect. Thankyou. *pause* Are you just gonna stand there and watch me, or… Fraser: Oh, I'm…I'm sorry. [He leaves. He goes into the corridor. Enter Thatcher, who has obviously been drinking. She is giggly and very friendly - touching Fraser a lot] Thatcher: Fraser! Fraser, Fraser, Fraser, Fraser, Fraser. Off duty and still working. You really gotta learn to relax. I mean, look at me. How do…How do I seem? Fraser: How do you seem, sir? Thatcher: Yeah. I mean, do I seem tense to you? Fraser: Uh, no sir. You appear to be very loose-limbed. Thatcher: That would be the Latin influence. *A car toots* That would be a Latin horn. Fraser: A Latin horn. Thatcher: I gotta pee. I was having tapas with the Spanish Ambassador. He's remarkably ??????, learned, well-read and really, really, really hot bodied. [A man enters and begins singing] Thatcher: See what I mean? Um, we're gonna continue…um, I…um. I have a really high level, power..um…meeting at 0900 hours, so I'm gonna be late. *She leaves* [Fraser is sitting at his desk. Denny Scarpa, wearing the longjohns places some cards on his desk and they begin to play.] Fraser: You handle cards very well. Denny Scarpa: That's what I do. Fraser: Are you naturally lucky, or do you cheat? Denny Scarpa: That depends on how you define cheating. [She looks at Ante and Diefenbaker snuggled up together] Looks cosy, doesn't it? [Fraser tries to look but wrenches his back] Denny Scarpa: Is it sore? Is it here? Fraser: Yes. [Denny Scarpa starts massaging Fraser's back] Denny Scarpa: I used to do this for my Dad when he'd get home working late. My kid brother too. Do you have a brother? Fraser: No. Denny Scarpa: Sister? Fraser: No. Denny Scarpa: It's tough when they can't take care of themselves. My kid brother was just opne mess after another. And right here? Fraser: Mm hmm. You handle muscles well also. Do you mind if I ask you a question? Denny Scarpa: Nu-uh. Fraser: Are you protecting someone? Denny Scarpa: Just myself and my dog. Fraser: Sounds very lonely. Denny Scarpa: You tell me. Fraser: Are you suggesting are situations are similar? Denny Scarpa: Both outsiders, one step ahead of everybody else. Yeah, I think so. Fraser: What do you plan to do about the FBI and Mr Farah. Denny Scarpa: If I can't cut a deal I'll face charges, and if I can cut a deal I'll face Farah. Either way I'm kinda boxed in. Fraser: It's a dangerous game. Denny Scarpa: Life is a dangerous game. The trick is to minimise the risk. Fraser: And how do you plan to minimise the risk in the game with Farah? Denny Scarpa: I'd have to have someone with me. Someone I could trust. Fraser: Someone like me, you mean? Denny Scarpa: You would be perfect. [Knock at the door] Fraser: I should answer that. Denny Scarpa: You're bluffing, right? Fraser: No I never bluff. Excuse me. [Opens door] Ray: This is Tommy, our sketch artist. [He sees Denny Scarpa] Uh, don't you feel a little...uh...naked without the…uh…longjohns? Fraser: I have several pair. Ray: Mm. Uh, ballistics was positive with the gun. The guy who was shooting at us was the same guy who took down the game. Tommy: [Looking at the wood panelling on the walls] This is nice. Really nice. Fraser: Thankyou. Tommy: Real wood and everything. Ray: Tommy doesn't get out much. Fraser: Ah. Ray: This is your witness. Tommy: The woman? Ray: Right. [Tommy and Denny Scarpa are working on a picture] Ray: Blind as a bat. Damn he knows his way around a pencil. Fraser, uh, you know what the hell you're doing? Fraser: What is it you think I'm doing? Ray: Uh, you tell me. You're the one who's got a shark swimming around in your underwear. Fraser: It's purely a matter of practicality, Ray. Her clothes were not particularly conducive to sleeping. Ray: Oh, so you just had to take 'em off. Fraser: No, she managed that all by herself. Ray: Look, Fraser, all I'm trying to say here is this woman is a dangerous customer. I mean, she's covering angles, she's looking at the odds, she's looking for insurance. This is not the, y'know, little girl from the igloo next door. Fraser: You think she's protecting someone? Ray: Yeah, maybe, boyfriend. Fraser: But we have no proof of that. Ray: Oh man is she reeling you in. Fraser: Well, why do you say that? Ray: Would you be so diplomatic if she wasn't such a beautiful woman? Fraser: Certainly. Ray: Awful thing is I believe you. Tommy: [Caressing the banister] Mahogany. Hold on! Fraser: Admittedly I did only catch a glimpse of him and he was wearing a hat, but I was quite sure his hair was dark. Denny Scarpa: No, I'm pretty sure it was blonde. This is him. Ray: [To Tommy] Uh, get that out on the wire. [He leaves in the wrong direction] Tommy! Tommy. [Ray shows him the way out] Tommy: Real cherrywood. Wow. Denny Scarpa: Well, goodnight. Dief! Ante! Fraser: Goodnight Ray: Night [Bell rings] White: Agent White Exley: Agent Exley White: Where is she? Ray: No idea. Exley: Is that why you needed a sketch artist this evening? Ray: Well, the thing of it is, I love art, paintings mostly. A sculpture does not turn my crank…uh…but I love oils and watercolours, and…. [Denny Scarpa appears behind Ray and Fraser] Ray: Hey now! Where the heck did she come from? White: You just brought yourself some trouble. Fraser: Trouble? White&Exley: With a capital T. **Welsh's office** White&Exley: We're filing charges. Welsh: What charges? Exley: Harbouring a fugitive for starters. Welsh: Well she's our fugitive. Maybe he was just holding her. Exley: In the Canadian Consulate? Welsh: A bit unorthodox. White: I don't want to hear about it. Exley: We're taking her, right now. Welsh: Or else what? White: We'll take your boy here instead. Ray: Boy? Fraser: Ah Gentlemen, I think I may have a solution to this. White: What? Fraser: Well I've spoken to Miss Scarpa, and I believe that she'll agree to co-operate with you on one condition. Exley: Condition being? Fraser: She wants someone at the table that she can trust. White: You? Exley: She trusts you? Fraser: I believe she does, yes. White&Exley: You're on. [cellphones ring] White: Agent White Exley: Agent Exley Ray: Fraser, you don't know how to play poker. Fraser: No, I…Well I'm not entirely unfamiliar with it, Ray. Although perhaps a refresher course in some of the fundamentals might be a good idea. Is an ace still considered a high card? [Everyone is sitting around a table] Ray: Okay, this is retarded. You cannot learn to play poker in one night and hope to beat a shark. Fraser: Possibly. Although, y'know, one time I did manage to learn almost all of Milton's Paradise Lost in a single evening. Of course, my chances for survival were very slim at the time, I had to keep my mind very focused…. Ray: Up! Prove it. Fraser: Prove what? Ray: Do the…uh…Paradise Lost thing. Fraser: Of mans first disobedience in the fruit of that forbidden tree who's mortal taste brought death into the world and all our woe… Ray: Okay, okay, okay. Mabe we got a shot. Okay, lets get down to basics. Poker is a game of money and deception. Welsh: Penalties go to the weak, rewards go to the strong. Huey: In poker, you're on your own. Dewey: The loser makes himself a loser. Ray: And the winner makes himself a winner. Fraser: I see, and where do the cards fit into this? Ray: Uh...the cards are incidental. Think about it this way - Poker is sheer justice. [Ray deals] Ray: Okay, low card brings it in. [They ante up] Ray: Okay, we are on fourth street. [Frannie enters and starts circling the table, nibbling on the candy they're using to bet] Frannie: I bet my salary on Fraser...a year's worth. Hi Frase. Fraser: Francesca Welsh: That would be illegal Miss Vecchio. Frannie: Why? Welsh: The state of Illinois has laws against illegal gaming, okay. Betting on poker, even a small sum such as your salary would be considered illegal. Frannie: Well that's just stupid. Welsh: Well, stupid or not it's the law and you should know the law if you wanna become a... [Frannie hits his shoulder] Frannie: Hey sir, watch your cards there. Fraser: If you want to become a what, Francesca? Frannie: Um...nothing. I was just musing, hypothetically. Can't, ah, gamble since I can't break the law. Ray: Oh yeah, since when? [About the game] Down and dirty. Frannie: This morning. Fraser: Oh, ah...do I still have to bet? The guys [in unison]: Yes! Fraser: But I've already won. It would seem to be gloating. [They all put down their cards] Well, it would seem that I have a blush and four low. Welsh: Constable, you have a flush and it takes high and you cant do that. You can't be bluffing when you're not bluffing. Fraser: I wasn't bluffing sir, I was just telling the truth. Ray: Poker is not about the truth. Welsh: It's about deception Constable. Huey: You stink Fraser. Fraser: Of what? The guys [in unison]: The truth! **Welsh's office** [Ray and Welsh are sitting on his couch.] Welsh: Do you think Frase is up to this? Ray: As long as he doesn't have to lie. Welsh: Or bluff. Ray: Or hold. Welsh: I guess cheating is out of the question. Ray: Imagine living like that. Both: Forget about it! Welsh: How 'bout those feds? [They break out into laughter] **Jail Cell** [Denny is sleeping with Ante and Diefenbaker at her feet. Fraser walks over to the cell, thinks she's asleep and turns to leave] Denny Scarpa: [Getting up] Leaving? Fraser: [Returning] I thought you were sleeping. Denny Scarpa: You've been up all night. Fraser: Hmm...As have you? [Scarpa nods] Are you nervous about tomorrow? Denny Scarpa: Yeah, I'm scared. I had a run in with Farah a couple of years back. He's a tough guy. He'll have bodyguards. Anything can happen. Fraser: You think something will happen? Denny Scarpa: I don't know. I'm a card player, not a psychic. Fraser: You know sometimes telling the truth is the only way out. Denny Scarpa: [Walking over to him so that only the cell bars separate them] You know, you'll never make a poker player. Fraser: Actually I, ah...I won a bag of candy. [Takes out the bag of candy] Denny Scarpa: Anyone can win when the stakes don't matter. Fraser: True enough. [They both eat some of the candy] I took the liberty of looking into your record. Denny Scarpa: Of course. Fraser: You were arrested for assault in connection with a knifing at a poker game in Arkansas. Denny Scarpa: When in Rome. Fraser: And you confessed to the stabbing even though witnesses at the scene said your brother Larry actually committed the crime. Denny Scarpa: Witnesses can be wrong. Fraser: Or you could have been protecting your brother. He had a record. A judge would have been stern with him. Denny Scarpa: You look out for your family. Larry...he couldn't look out for himself. Fraser: What color is his hair? Denny Scarpa: Dark...was...Larry's dead. He couldn't let things go. He ran into another man in Bakersfield who couldn't let things go and I wasn't there to help him. [Moves closer to him] Are you testing me? Fraser: Yes. Denny Scarpa: Can I trust you? Fraser: Mmm hmm [She touches his face and draws him closer, and kisses him] Denny Scarpa: Then why can't you trust me? Fraser: Who says I don't? I should go. [Hands her the bag of candy and leaves] **Men's Room** [Fraser is splashing water on his face. Ray enters] Fraser: You know my father used to say that...duty was a passion. Maybe the only one that really counted. Ray: You have no duty here Fraser, all you got is risk. What if you start to sweat and Farah twigs to the scam. I mean, anything could go down Fraser: Well, I'm aware there are risks. Ray: You know Fraser, uh...when I was in college, um, I used to go to the track and play the horses. Uh...One day I was down there and I met this chick form, ah...Albany. She had a good line and I bought it - hook, line, sinker, you know. Before she left, she'd taken everything. Fraser: You think I'm confusing duty with passion? Ray: No. I think that, um, there's a lot of things that you can do with a woman like this, but trusting them is not one of 'em. Fraser: Who says I trust her? Ray: You telling me everything? You can back out, you know. Fraser: No, I can't do that. **Walking through the Precinct corridor and bullpen** Fraser: Ah, Francesca, I wonder if you'd mind looking up some information for me? Frannie: Sure Frase, but first, can I ask you a question about your work? Fraser: Well of course I'll try to answer, but as a member of the RCMP I have taken an oath of secrecy as a consequence, there are certain matters that I am bound not to discuss. Frannie: What do you mean? Like about the Queen and Inspector Thatcher? Fraser: Well I am loyal to them both, however actually I was referring to... well discussions of matters that might compromise national security. Frannie: Oh. Fraser: So, what do you want to know? Frannie: Yeah, um...is the hat really necessary? Fraser: Absolutely essential. [Puts on hat] This is the information I require. [Hands her a piece of paper] Thank you kindly. [Walks away] Ray: What were you guys just talking about? Frannie: Nothing. Head gear. Ray: C'mon, he just gave you a piece of paper. Wha, wha...what was on the paper? Frannie: Nothing Ray...he just wanted me to look over a few things for him. Why? Is that a crime too? Because...because if that's a crime as well then...there's jus...way too many crimes... I can't get all these crimes in my head... I'm going to have to re-think the whole thing. Ray: You do that. You think. Tha, tha...that would be a good hobbie for you. **Hallway leading to Denny's hotel room** Denny Scarpa: Alright I have to get ready now. I can't eat on game day, I can't use mint toothpaste, I can't face any corner of the room for more than 10 seconds and I can't smell a man until I sit at the table. So, you both are going to have to leave. Ray: I knew gamblers were superstitious, but... Denny Scarpa: It's not superstition, it's discipline and discipline is part of the game. Ray: And this discipline works? Denny Scarpa: I win. [Closing her door] Fraser: I think I'll stay here. Ray: Yeah, I'll go cover the rear exit. Wake me if anything happens. **Inside apartment** [Denny checks bullets in a revolver] **Hotel Hallway** [Fraser is in Red Serge] Dewey: He can't wear a tuxedo Huey: Why not? Dewey: Because he'll look like a waiter at Chico's Welsh: Only if it's light blue. Huey: It's not blue, it's black...and beautiful. Just like me. Ray: He's gotta look expensive, like the boys in Vegas. Welsh: Vegas? They wear track suits. Ray: Yeah, but he's gotta look like he knows what he's doing. He's gotta look slick. He's gotta look... [They turn down hallway. Fraser is now in a black tuxedo.] Ray: ...good. You look good. You look, uh... sharp. Huey: Tres sharp Welsh: Yeah, real fashion plate Constable. Look, here's your stake, courtesy of Chicago PD. [Cell phone rings, Ray answers.] Ray: Yeah, Vecchio. Welsh: Now understand that anything you earn over that belongs to Chicago Police Department Fraser: Ah...yes sir. Welsh: Now lets check out the set up. [Enters room] Dewey: You want another card and the dealer's smiling...don't take it. [Enters room] Huey: And if the guy next to you smells like bacon bits, definitely see him and raise him. [Enters room] Ray: That was Frannie. She got the information you wanted. Curious? Fraser: I'd appreciate it. Ray: Two years ago Farah played a game in Bakersfield. The night ended with a homicide. That was the last time Farah was seen in the country. The deceased was a guy named Lawrence Packard. What does that mean? Welsh: [Popping his head out the room] Alright, showtime. Let's go detective. Good luck Constable. [Inside the hotel room. There are about 20 FBI agents in suits looking at the video feed of another hotel room where the gambling is going to take place. The vantage point switches back and forth from actually inside the room with the gamblers to the video feed of the gamblers observed by the FBI agents and Chicago PD officers.] Welsh: Is he alright? Ray: I don't know, he's a little whacked. Exley: Here's our next player. This one's Malone White: Out of Oklahoma.Oil money. Plays the Circuit. Exley: Runner up, '95 World Championships, Reno. White: Next guest. Fraser: Good evening. [Looks around room, walks over to wet bar] Ah, cider...Thank you kindly. [Smells drink] Whoa, stiff apples. White: Mountie's in place. Exley: Nice Tux. White: For a rental. Huey: Hey, I own that tux. Exley: What do you charge? [Knock on gambling room door. Body guard enters followed by Farah.] White: Here we go. Exley: It's Farah. Games on. Steel Eyes: Name's Carson. Steel-Eyes Carson. Still cold up there in Canada? Fraser: Well, it can be, yes. Farah: [to Denny] Delighted. [Kisses her hand] Denny Scarpa: Glad you can make it. Gentlemen, shall we get started? Steel Eyes: I went North once. Looking for bear. Froze my little toe. Fraser: You know, Steel-eyes, extremities are often insufficiently protected against the challenge of the Northern Winter. As a matter of fact I once knew a man who lost the crotch of his pants on a barbed-wired fence and later that night, a particularly harsh night, he almost lost his, uh... that's a...that's another story. Where's everyone else from? All: Miami. Ray: We'd better go in. White: That's not the protocol, detective. Ray: It's not the what? White: We're pursuing the "AC" strategy. Welsh: AC? Exley: Al Capone. White: We got witnesses lined up to testify against Farah. Exley: No one will testify unless he's in custody. White: So we'll nail him on gaming, but to get this charge to stick... Exley: Farah's got to take a pot. Steel Eyes: You in? Fraser: Well let me see...There's fifty-two cards in a deck, four cards in any given suit. Now what is the possibility of getting three of those four cards in a seven-hand game, with none of them showing, um... Well I don't think the odds can be any greater than 1 in 2,756. Joey: Are you playing, or talking? Denny Scarpa: Let him bet, Joey. [Fraser wins the first hand.] Fraser: Terribly sorry. White: What's your man doing? Welsh: He's winning. Fraser: There is something compelling about having vast quantities of money coming in one's direction, isn't there? [Ray laughs] Exley: This is not good. White: Farah has to take a pot. Exley: We can't take Farah. Farah: 1,000 Steel Eyes: Looks like the makings of a flush to Steel Eyes. Fraser: Steel Eyes. That's an interesting moniker, Mr. Carson. Perhaps I should adopt a nickname. Farah: We could call you Big Mouth. Fraser: That would seem to be apt. And you're known as Lady Shoes, I believe. Denny Scarpa: Some people call me that. Fraser: And your last name, Scarpa, that's not your name from birth, is it? Denny Scarpa: Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. Fraser: Ah. If I'm not mistaken, uh... your given name was actually Packard. Farah: Packard? Ray: Packard? Welsh: What's he doing? [Ray shakes his head.] Fraser: Truly fascinating game, poker. Very few pursuits so effortlessly combine money, deception, truth... And so often, the real stakes far exceed what's actually on the table. Ray: He's showing his hand, we gotta go. White: We sit tight. Fraser: By way of example, only recently heard of a game that was played in Bakersfield. Joey: Who cares? Fraser: The stakes were so high they resulted in a homicide. A man by the name of Lawrence Packard. Cards? [Farah signals bodyguard and Ray recognizes Joey] Ray: This is the guy from the takedown. Exley: What are you talking about? Ray: It's a set up, you morons. Packard was her brother. Denny's here to take out Farah and Joey is the trigger man. Let's move, now! White: We sit tight. Ray: We move NOW! [Leaves room] White: Hold your positions, men. Fraser: Mr. Farah, you were at Bakersfield, were you not? Farah: [Throws cards at Fraser] What kind of game are you playing? Fraser: I believe it's called poker. [Ray takes position on sky roof directly over the game table. Fraser sees his reflection in a serving tray and thumbs his nose. Ray returns the signal.] Welsh: We move. [Welsh and the duck boys leave room] [Farah snaps fingers and bodyguard draws gun. Ray crashes through the skylight. The FBI agents and police charge the room and start arresting everyone.] White: Federal Agents, nobody moves. Dewey: Freeze, Chicago PD. Fraser: Thank you Ray. Ray: No problem, Fraser. Welsh: Drop it. Move and you're dead. [Fraser notices that Denny is missing. He finds her out on the ledge just in time to catch her arm as she falls off. Denny yells as she is caught.] Fraser: You play a dangerous game. Denny Scarpa: (panting) Farah killed my brother. Fraser: And so you ordered Joey to kill Farah. Denny Scarpa: Just trying to even out the game. Fraser: Using me in the process. Denny Scarpa: You could have let me go. Fraser: Who says I won't let you go now? Denny Scarpa: You're bluffing. Fraser: I never bluff. [Fraser switches the hand that he is holding on to her with suddenly and she let's out a scream.] Denny Scarpa: [panting] I thought you said you didn't bluff. Fraser: I'm learning. [Fraser pulls her up with both hands.] **precinct, Ray's desk** [Fraser and Ray are playing cards.] Ray: So she's off to club Fed. Five card, one draw. What tipped you off? Fraser: Well there was something about her manner at the hotel room that suggested that she wasn't truly in any mortal peril. Also, she claimed to have been a medical student at New York University, but there was no record to support that claim. What's the ante? Ray: I don't know, we'll uh...play for air. Fraser: All right. Ante is in. In addition, when she was kissing me... Ray: Wait a minute. You kissed her? Fraser: Well no, she kissed me. Ray: What was it like? Fraser: The kiss? Delightful. Ray: Why didn't you tell me? Fraser: That the kiss was delightful? Ray: Not the kiss, not the kiss. That you suspected her. Fraser: Well I wasn't sure. And as you had instructed me, there are certain cards that are better left hidden until they are absolutely needed. Ray: So, you were bluffing. Fraser: Evading. Ray: Bluffing. Fraser: Delaying. Ray: Bluffing. Fraser: Equivocating. Ray: Bluffing. Fraser: Bluffing. Ray: Thank you. What do you think the odds are that in this universe, Francesca will take to that dog? Fraser: Oh...Difficult to compute. But Ante needs a good home and Francessca has a good heart. Ray: How many cards? Fraser: I'll take none, thank you. Ray: None. Fraser: None. Ray: Okay, two can play that game...I'll take none too. Bet? Fraser: A hundred. Ray: Of? Fraser: A hundred of air. Ray: Okay, I'll see your hundred and I raise you fifty. Fraser: All right, I will see that fifty and I'll call. Ray: What do you have? Fraser: Once again, a crowded home. Ray: House. Fraser: Crowded House. Ray: Full House. Fraser: Full house, full house. I'll take that air now, Ray. Ray: I'm tapped out. Fraser: I'll accept an I.O.U. Ray: An I.O.U. on air? Fraser: I want you to honor your wager. Ray: That's stupid. **End** |