Post 1
We first see Amanda in the 1888 San Francisco flashback. She walks
into Kit's casino pretending to be French. Duncan introduces her to
Kit saying that he is the owner of the Double Eagle. Amanda says that
the casino is "magnifique" but mispronounces the word. She asks if
the casino is named after Kit's family crest. Kit points out the
double eagle coin mounted over the bar as the inspiration for the
casino's name.
Amanda asks to join the poker game that Kit and Duncan are playing
with a high rolling Count. Kit is delighted to include her when she
portrays herself as completely ignorant of poker. In a whisper Duncan
criticizes her phony French accent and warns her not to cheat.
In the present Duncan finds Amanda in his loft just emerging from the
shower. Duncan privately wishes she hadn't come now with Kit in town
and says "You ever heard of calling ahead?" But he does reluctantly
welcome her. She joyfully steps out of her towel and climbs into
Duncan's arms.
Later Amanda is cooking beef stroganoff. She says she ate it with
Czar Nicholas II and that it gave him "a great deal of stamina".
Duncan sniffs the pot, makes a face and suggests that Amanda eat
dinner alone. She says that she realizes that the stroganoff isn't
any good, so why don't they go out for dinner. Duncan puts her off
for a few minutes, so he can get rid of Kit who he was supposed to be
his dinner companion.
Returning to the flashback, Amanda is winning the poker game. Duncan
folds and so does the high rolling Count. Only Kit and Amanda remain
in the game. Kit raises Amanda $10 K. Amanda pretends she doesn't
know what to do. She doesn't have $10 K worth of chips. She tries to
say that her earrings are worth $15 K. "A prince gave them to me,"
she tells Kit. Kit replies that the prince was a piker because the
earrings would be worth only $5 K on a good day. The Count says that
if Amanda removes her dress, he'll stake her for the rest. "Monsieur,
this dress does not come off for less than a million," Amanda returns
indignantly. Then she removes her necklace and says it's worth $40
K. Kit accepts this valuation and throws in a note representing the
deed to the Double Eagle. Kit is certain he'll win and retain the
Casino because his hand is a full house. Unfortunately, Amanda beats
him with a royal flush. Then she rips the note representing the deed
to the casino out of Kit's hand and announces to the patrons that
she's their new host. She has dropped her French accent.
In the present Duncan is nervous and Amanda thinks he's hiding
something. "What would I have to hide?" says Duncan with pretended
innocence. "I'm sorry. I forgot who I was talking to," Amanda says
and kisses him. They feel a buzz. Duncan says it must be Richie, but
he's obviously jumpy. He suggests that Amanda go to a lecture on
Thomas Aquinas with him, but he wants them to leave by the back
stairs. Amanda asks about the elevator, and Duncan claims it's
broken. But someone's coming up in the elevator. Amanda suspiciously
demands to see who is coming up. And it's Richie, after all. Richie
and Amanda hug in a friendly manner.
Then Kit calls wanting Duncan to come to the race track. Duncan says
they'll meet at "the university commons" for Amanda's benefit. Then
he tells Amanda that there's an emergency at the university where he
teaches. Amanda doesn't believe it. Duncan suggests that Amanda
catch up with Richie while he's gone.
After Duncan exits, Amanda comments on Richie's big shoulders. She
takes off his jacket and massages his shoulder blades. Then she
questions Richie about who Duncan is seeing and where, as she
continues to run her fingers over his physique. Eventually, Richie
confesses that Duncan has gone to the race track. "Mac is going to
kill me," says Richie worriedly. "I know," says Amanda and leaves in
the elevator.
To Be Continued...
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