Track
EXT. HIPÓDROMO DE PALERMO - BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - DAY - December 15th, 2024
EXT. HIPÓDROMO DE PALERMO - BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - DAY - December 15th, 2024
Shane and ALEX (same friend from previous post) approach the massive white building resembling the White House, with a French architectural flair. They walk through the columned entrance.
SHANE: I told my brother we were coming to race track. He said to be prepared to leave sad.
ALEX: Why?
SHANE: I don’t know? I guess watching horses get raced against their will is probably not fun to watch after a while?
INT. HIPÓDROMO DE PALERMO - CONTINUOUS
They enter to the hotel-like lobby, noticing a room of electronic gambling machines in behind the desk.
ALEX: Oh it’s a full on casino?
SHANE: Jesus.
They pass the lobby toward the staircase leading to…
EXT. RACETRACK - CONTINUOUS
People stand around the bleachers and stands of the venue, looking out on the dirt track, waiting for the next race. Shane and Alex take it all in.
SHANE: Should we make a bet?
ALEX: Yeah. Where do we do that?
They look around for some signal of a clue.
ALEX: Let’s go this way…
They walk away.
TEXT: Twenty Minutes Later
They return to the exact same spot they were standing previously.
SHANE: So…?
They stand around, looking for another clue of what the hell to do.
On the track, a HORSE RACE has started. The audience watch on the edge of their seats. As the horses stampede past the finish line, (some of) the crowd go wild for their winning horse. They hoot, holler, jump, clap and hug in celebration.
They watch some of the winners move toward a small green roofed hut between two buildings.
ALEX: Ah! There.
They move toward the hut.
Alex talks to a CASHIER behind the counter in Spanish as Shane waits. He watches the OLD TIMERS stand around with their booklets and betting sheets, taking it all quite serious.
Alex returns with a pamphlet, and reads the types of betting on the pamphlet, translating for himself and Shane. He figures it out for himself as he speaks.
ALEX: Okay, okay. Right. So! We can bet on a single horse, or multiple horses to finish in the top one, two, or three. Or we can just bet on a horse to win it all?
SHANE: Let’s bet on three to finish in the top three. Right? Spread the bet? That’s a thing, right?
ALEX: Sure. Which horses.
They look up at the board showing the horses and odds for the next race.
SHANE: Well since we know nothing about these horses, or horse racing in general, we have to just go with the numbers we like. Gut vibes on the numbers. We look at the numbers on the board - both the horse’s number and the odds - and whichever numbers call to us is what we go with. That’s how one is supposed to bet.
ALEX: Sounds bulletproof to me. Which numbers you want first?
Shane examines the board.
SHANE: Horse 4. 11. And…12.
ALEX: Boom. Done.
LATER:
The guys stand on the steps with the other viewers, watching their horse take place.
SHANE: Which one is which?
ALEX: I can’t tell? They’re numbered.
SHANE: Yeah but the jockeys’ legs are over the numbers.
ALEX: I think you’re supposed to remember the color of their helmets.
SHANE: Which helmets do our jockeys have?
ALEX: I don’t know.
The horses trample buy in rapid gallops. The crowd cheer and boo accordingly. Shane and Alex just stand there in confusion. Waiting.
SHANE: Did we win? Why don’t they show it on the digital board?
ALEX: Oh they raise the numbers over there. We just have to wait.
They wait.
SHANE: Cool…
The SCORE PRESENTER hangs placards on the pulley system. She places a 3 in first place. Then an 8 in second.
Then in third place, a 12.
SHANE: TWELVE! Let’s fucking go!
The guys high five and cheer in a very delayed celebration.
ALEX: And 12’s odds were like eleven-to-one!
SHANE: Oh damn! That’s going to pay out huge!
ALEX: Let’s pull our original bet and only play with winnings.
SHANE: For sure!
EXT. BETTING WINDOW - MOMENTS LATER
Shane and Alex stand aside from the counter. Alex holds cash in his hand. They both look confused.
SHANE: Ten? But we bet fifteen? So we lost money?
ALEX: Well I guess since we spread the bet? So we lost the other two but won on this.
SHANE: Shit. Well that sucks. I thought the odds were low for number 12?
ALEX: I don’t know how this shit works.
SHANE: Me neither!
They take a beat.
SHANE: Okay well, I guess we bet the ten? Which numbers are calling to you buddy? Feel the numbers!
Alex looks at the board showing the horses and odds.
ALEX; Let’s go with 6. And…5.
SHANE: I was thinking 6! I was literally just thinking 6! Yes!
They turn back to the hut to place their bet.
LATER:
On the stands, the guys watch the race.
SHANE: Green helmet! I think green helmet!
ALEX: I think it was dark blue?
SHANE: Then, let’s go dark blue!
They clap and cheer on their horse as they all wiz by.
LATER:
They watch the placards go up. 6 is on the board.
They scream in excitement, hugging and jumping for their win.
CUT TO:
They stand by the betting window, holding a small sum of cash.
SHANE: Wait so we bet ten and we get back seven? We lost when we won? Again?
ALEX: We lost on horse 3. So I guess?
SHANE: Alright. I guess we put it all on one horse. Which one?
ALEX: I don’t know.
SHANE: Gut! What’s your gut!
ALEX: 5!
SHANE: Let’s go! All on 5!
EXT. HIPÓDROMO DE PALERMO - LATER
Alex and Shane exit the column doors defeated.
ALEX: I think that’s what your brother meant about leaving the track sad.
SHANE: Ah! You’re probably right. Losing money is the sad part.
A beat.
SHANE: Well. And also, not great for the horses.
ALEX: No definitely not.