What an great little snippet. Ben is grateful and apologetic. Mr. Simpson, by way of the check amount and his sadness and regret is telling Ben, and us, that Ben is well like and valuable. It's a warm, albeit sad, scene that shows Ben (and us) that Ben is a good guy. Then the turn; Ben is going to take his money, drive to Las Vegas and drink himself silly. The emotional punch, that Ben despises himself, lands hard. At least that's how I read the scene, I've never seen the movie.

Pretty heartbreaking, knowing Ben's ultimate fate in Vegas.