radio music is playing from another room. an orchestral version of 'try a little tenderness'. jack comes in, hangs his hat up, looks around. he sees a neatly arranged vase of flowers that wasn't there before. he goes to the bedroom.
in front of a mirror jack trims his hair with nail scissors. he is dressed in his croupier's uniform. he straightens his bow tie.
jack comes in, puts down his overnight bag. he yawns, heads for the bedroom. suddenly, he sees that the vase of dead flowers is now full of fresh blooms. underneath is a small box, gift-wrapped. jack opens it. inside the tissue paper is a tiny gold charm on a chain. he examines it.
jack is asleep in bed with marion. he is murmuring indistinguishable words. it wakes her. she gently touches his shoulder. he opens his eyes.
marion is lying awake alone in bed. the phone rings. she leans over to pick it up, then doesn't. from the sitting room comes the message:
jack is sitting at his computer, drinking vodka, dressed in his croupier's suit.
jack hesitates, then picks up.
jack's face is a mask, tight, fixed.