As the two men hang out at Charlie's house, Bill's office, seedy bars, card rooms, and various sports venues, Bill becomes hooked on the gambling lifestyle. He goes into debt to Sparkie, his bookie, and hocks possessions, including his car, to fund a bus trip to Reno. At the track, Charlie spots the man who mugged him and Bill at the beginning of the film, beats him up, and robs him.