The Highest Stakes

Celeste.

Sweetie, wake up. Come on. Come on, sweetie.

- Stay quiet. Okay? - Mom, what's the matter?

I want you to stay in here. Be very quiet, sweetie. Okay?

Do not come out no matter what.

What the hell?

No freaking signal.

Don't worry.

He's going to get what he deserves.

Trust me.

Bet you wish you looked like me and could pull the trigger yourself.

Come on.

Mom?

Mom?

Mom, wake up.

Mom, wake up.

Mom.

I'm sorry I couldn't save Mom.

Wake up.

He's so slow.

I heard you the first time.

Hey. Tom Cartright.

I'm here for the Flamme O' Frites game.

Ah, yes. Mr. Cartright, we've been expecting you.

Congratulations.

You know, we bought 50 bags of those potato chips

called the number on the bag and got the same stupid message.

"You are not a winner this time, but keep playing."

I only bought one bag.

Just got lucky, I guess.

Sure sounds like it.

We have you in suite 1316, Congressman.

Perfect. Hey, how late is the pool open?

- It's 24 hours, sir. - That's wonderful.

Hundred laps a day keeps the doctor away.

I'm seeing double.

Billy Gray. Contest winner. Checking in.

And your best room, yeah, chief?

Of course, Mr. Gray. Nothing but the best for you.

- Celeste, do you have my purse? - Yeah, I have it.

How do you think the rich get richer, sweetie?

We gotta invest and start young.

- I trust you on this. - Cheers.

Are we having fun?

We've upgraded you to suite 1323, Mr. Gray.

Great.

- Elevator this way? - Correct, Mr. Gray.

- Welcome, Dr. Stevens. - Thank you.

Hey, quick question if you don't mind.

I have had a dull pain in my right side

for, like, two weeks.

Any thoughts of what that could be?

Well, off the top of my head

as long as it's not a stabbing or a burning pain

it's probably a pulled muscle, so try a heating patch.

No, no, thank you.

You must be excited about the game though, Doctor.

I mean, an unreal grand prize of $20 million.

I mean, I have to admit I've made money in my life

but this is a whole different level.

- I bet you would love that. - Yeah.

I said, no, thank you.

What part of "no, thank you" do you not understand?

Dante.

I'm really sorry. I'm really sorry.

Yeah.

We'll be rooting for you, Dr. Stevens.

We have you in suite 1303.

1303. Thank you.

- Elevator is this way? - Straight down to your right.

Hey.

Good evening, Detective Quinn, and welcome to the Le Deux Sirenes.

It's good to be here and happy for the damn break.

May we ask what kind of detective you are?

Robbery-Homicide.

Sounds exciting.

It has its moments.

Suite 1312.

And good luck, Detective.

Thank you.

Hi.

Miss Deveraux, welcome.

And we have you in suite 1309, Miss Deveraux.

Lucky number 13.

I like it.

Well, we're secretly hoping you win.

So am I.

And it's not a secret.

And God knows you deserve it.

There's a welcome reception starting in five minutes in the lobby bar.

Twins. Fun.

Thank you, boys.

I love my job.

I am a financial planner.

What I love is to see people get rich.

Says a lot about a man, don't you think?

I take great pride in it. I do.

- Thank you. - Fabulous.

That guy is everywhere.

Anyway, what I love to do

is find the right investment vehicle for nice folks

and watch their portfolio grow and grow.

It's very satisfying.

Basically, I make dreams come true.

Really? Me too.

Is that right? What do you do, Aurora?

I'm a high-end escort, Billy.

You sell for a living.

I fuck for one.

Well, if one of us wins this thing

maybe we can do some business together.

My services are very, very expensive.

So are mine.

- I heard it all. That's about right. - Crazy scandal.

- There they are. - The other two lucky warriors

joining us in this battle of winner takes all.

Hey. Detective Michael Quinn.

- This here is Dr... - Surgeon.

Dr. Scott Stevens.

Excuse me. Surgeon.

And of course the senator from Alabama.

Congressman Tom Cartright. And you two are?

Billy Gray, salesman extraordinaire.

Aurora Deveraux, escort extraordinaire.

Welcome one and all.

- Love the suit. - Thank you very much.

Gather around, good people. I don't bite.

On behalf of Flamme O' Frites and our newest spicy chip

the Jalapeño Hell Popper

which will light up your mouth like a sweet bolt of lightning.

I want to congratulate you on buying the lucky numbered bags

which gave you this chance to play poker

and walk out of the fabulous Le Deux Sirenes

with five years' worth of Hell Poppers

and $20 million.

Great speech, but question, Mr...

Damn it. Jesus. I was so worried about promoting our sponsor

that I forgot to introduce myself.

Samuel Nicholas, your host and dealer.

Samuel, you look familiar.

Have I arrested you before?

I don't know. Acting is my first love.

I usually play the guy that gets killed off in episode two.

And I've done my share of deodorant and Ozempic commercials.

I've shilled everything from hemorrhoid cream to fruit juices.

You might recognize this.

Seasonal herpes got you down? Try this new one-pill fixer.

A C-list character actor is how Variety summed me up.

That's one hell of a summary.

Well, some of us get to be Brad Pitt

and some of us host poker tournaments.

You know? I'm not complaining. Happy to have a job.

- You were saying, Mr... - Dr. Stevens.

Yes. We're gonna be playing Texas Hold 'Em poker. Is that right?

Yes. Very good, Doctor. Let me go over the rules.

There will be three rounds followed by one hour of food service.

- Nice spread of Poppers, I'm sure. - Yes!

Like an exquisite explosion of pain inside your taste buds!

I'm sorry, Mr. Gray. They make me say this shit. You understand.

Too bad we couldn't bring any guests. Just wondering.

Our sponsor actually thought it would be a distraction.

You have the opportunity to win a prize

that could change your life in more ways than one.

And it's the game that's most exciting

so although it's televised, there's no live audience

and no guests allowed.

Well, I, for one, wanna wish each and every one of you

bonne chance .

- Thanks. - Whatever that means.

Listen, I gotta run. I've got a Zoom audition for Red Bloods .

It's not a great show and I don't love the star

but it's a network gig and I'm so close

to getting my health insurance through the union.

Gotta go for it.

I have to admit, I love that show.

Really? You worry me, Doctor.

Anyhoo, your golden key cards will give you elevator access

to the Cordova Room, our exclusive gaming suite.

First game begins promptly at 8:00 p.m.

Don't be late.

Did you guys know it was televised?

Hey.

What?

What are you saying? My wife is...

No, no.

What about my stepdaughter? Is she okay?

Thank God. Thank God.

I'm tough on crime

'cause I lost my wife to a violent criminal.

A vote for Tom Cartright is a vote for justice.

Get me some dirt on any of them.

I need an edge

something I can slip in while we're playing.

Maybe spin 'em off balance.

Call me back.

- There's the scumbag. - Let's take him.

- Freeze! Chicago PD! - Hold on, asshole.

Drop the bag.

All right, open it up.

Open the fucking bag!