BLACKJACK BY JEFFREY LO
(DOWNLOAD PDF HERE)
LAS VEGAS.
Fremont street.
The Golden Nugget casino.
PLAYER and DEALER.
A game of blackjack.
DEALER deals a 3 to PLAYER.
DEALER deals a Queen to herself.
DEALER deals another 3 to PLAYER.
DEALER deals a facedown card to herself.
Beat.
DEALER looks at PLAYER.
Silence.
PLAYER: Split.
Pause.
DEALER: I’m sorry?
PLAYER: Split.
DEALER: Split?
PLAYER (With no hesitation): Split.
Pause.
DEALER gives PLAYER time to change their mind.
They don’t.
DEALER: Ok.
DEALER splits PLAYER’s hands.
DEALER deals PLAYER a 4.
DEALER deals PLAYER a King.
PLAYER points to the 3-4 hand.
PLAYER: Double down.
Pause.
DEALER: Excuse me?
PLAYER: Double down.
DEALER: Which hand?
PLAYER points to the 3-4 hand.
PLAYER: Double down.
Pause.
DEALER: No.
PLAYER: Excuse me?
DEALER: No.
PLAYER: What?
DEALER: Hell no.
PLAYER: Why not?
DEALER: It’s a terrible move.
PLAYER: So.
DEALER: You shouldn’t do it.
PLAYER: Don’t you want me to make terrible moves?
DEALER: No!
PLAYER: Doesn’t house want to win?
DEALER: Yes!
PLAYER: So?
DEALER: I’m not house! I’m dealer! House is different from dealer! If you win, you know how much house pays dealer? Minimum wage. If you lose, you know how much house pays dealer? Minimum wage! So hell no I don’t want you to lose. Win all you want goddamn it!
Silence.
PLAYER: Wow…
DEALER: So tell me. What do you want to do?
Pause.
PLAYER: Double down.
DEALER’s eyes grow.
Blackout.
END OF PLAY.