Poolhall Junkies Page #3

Her parents had her living in this

fancy apartment for the last four years.

She didn't like me playing pool much.

And I didn't like me much when I didn't.

Now that I've picked up the cue again,

I just hope she understands.

Hi, baby.

I'm sorry that I didn't call. I was...

F***! Jesus f***ing crap!

Did you forget something?

It's your boss's party tonight,

and I'm supposed to wear a suit, right?

It was my birthday last night, Johnny.

- It was?

- God damn you.

Why didn't you

say something about it last night?

What's this?

You're playing again, aren't you?

So that's what's more important

than me last night, the f***ing game?

Aren't we through with all that?

What about your job with Jack?

What about my job with Jack?

It didn't work out.

Why?

Do I look like a construction worker to you?

Give me an Indian and a cop,

I'll sing you YMCA. Is that what you want?

You think I like living with you,

like a kept man?

Breaking my back for peanuts

while you pay the check?

I play pool, Tara. That's what I do.

You know I beat a pro last night?

First time I picked up a cue in forever.

I sent him to the ATM three times.

I've always done what other people

want me to do. You, Joe, everybody.

- Now I'm gonna do what I wanna do.

- Is that why you play? Is it for the money?

You know me better than that.

I'm not sure how well I know you.

But you'll start to get to know

my foot in your ass...

if you think that

you're gonna forget my birthday...

and make me feel sorry for you

in the morning.

I just turned 30,

and I will be damned if I'm gonna let you...

Oh, my God.

You rat bastard!

Mikey V, go get my stuff.

You hock that thing again?

I just needed a little cash

for last night's game.

- You pawn motorcycles?

- I pawn anything, you know that.

That's your guitar. You shouldn't pawn that.

He's got your pool cue.

You're not supposed to pawn that.

That's different.

- Why is that different?

- Because it is.

If you need something, come to me.

Don't hock that thing again.

That's not very practical.

You're never around.

I'll be around.

I'm playing at The Goat, Friday.

Think you can come?

Why you gotta say it like such an a**hole?

Just ask me nicely, and I'll be there.

- What time?

- 8:
00.

- I'll be there at 8:00, all right?

- We'll see.

Looks like you're getting pretty good

at that thing.

I'm getting pretty good at a lot of things.

Watch yourself,

I'll be coming after you soon.

I'll be sure to keep my eyes open.

I made a score last night,

so just take some- -

What're you doing?

Are you gonna embarrass me in front of V?

You're my brother, not my mother.

You start looking after yourself.

You're in here, too.

That's me. That's not supposed to be you,

all right?

I leave town for five minutes, and this guy

thinks he's a hotshot pool shark.

Yeah, well, I am.

- You're not.

- I am.

You should not be having

your hands like that.

Why should I not have my hands up?

Because someone could just,

I don't know...

My goodness, is that horrible?

You know something?

You really wanna see pool,

come to the state line with me.

Check out the pros.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen...

and welcome to the Olhausen Invitational...

$100,0009- ball shootout.

I see a lot of familiar faces here tonight.

May your hands be steady,

and your aim be true.

Good luck.

Look at this.

See that guy in the beard?

That's Robert Tobin.

Best bank shot in the game.

Big guy over there with bushy eyebrows.

That's Bruce Kaner, the champ from Russia.

But the guy they always chase every year

for the title is that guy.

- Bobby LeBlanc.

- The best in the game.

Look at him, watch the way he breaks.

Sh*t.

Three balls on the break.

Six- ball run, and he's out.

Is that what makes him so good?

With that break,

he only plays six while others play nine.

There's a lot more to his game

than his break.

Watch the way he strokes the ball.

Smooth, never out of line.

When God invented pool players,

He made that guy right there.

Hey, Johnny, is that you?

St. Louis Louie, how you doing?

It's good to see you.

You, too. What're you doing here?

I didn't see your name on the roster.

I'm not playing.

I'm just showing my brother

a real game of pool.

- He's never seen you play before?

- Like I said, a real game.

Don't let him fool you. Your brother

can move the rock with the best.

I don't know about that.

I'm gonna go up and say hello to the boys.

Y'all wanna come with me?

Sure. Let's go.

What's he mean by "the rock"?

That's the cue ball. Come on.

All right, fellas. Clear the way.

I'm coming through!

Sorry, Louis, there's no food in here.

Buffet's around the corner.

What're you laughing at, Shorty?

When you go to bed at night, how do you

keep your head from sliding off the pillow?

I want you to meet an old friend of mine.

This is Johnny Doyle,

his big brother, Danny.

Charlie Banks over here, Boston Shorty...

and the legendary Jersey Red.

Jersey Red? I've heard about you for years.

- What have you heard?

- Red's got more stories than the Bible.

I once heard you ran a rack of balls

with a nine iron.

It was a putter, son.

Took the sorry son of a b*tch for $12,000.

- What was your last name?

- Doyle.

Used to be known as "The Side Pocket Kid. "

I heard of you.

You're the kid who took Bucktooth's Chevy.

You remember that?

Remember it? That was my car.

Bucktooth stole it from me.

It's not funny. We were on the road together.

I pull off to take a piss.

He drives off, leaves me standing there

with my dick in my hand.

I loved that car. I was glad he lost it to you.

Let me buy you a drink.

- You want one, Louie?

- Not really.

I got a game, shortly, and I gotta stay sharp.

- Who's it with?

- Greeks. You all want in?

Greeks? Sh*t, yeah, count me in.

Malaka, you're professional.

Last time you play, you beat me $10,000.

I shoot ball three times whole game.

Yeah, but I had my eight hours of sleep.

- You know I don't play good when I'm tired.

- What about your friend?

We play partner. $2,000 a man.

Who, him? I don't even know him.

He don't wanna play pool, anyway.

Ask him.

Hey, kid, you wanna play some pool?

Sure, I'll play.

I'll see if he's got any money.

You are so beautiful, man.

You've got 'em so turned around,

they don't know what to think.

Red, let me borrow your cue for a second.

What?

Johnny, I thought you knew

what we were trying to do here.

I'm trying to set him up for Red.

I thought you knew the move.

No hard feelings, all right?

Of course not.

Go ahead, go do your thing.

What's this?

He doesn't have any money,

but just to show you how fair I am...

I'll take the old shaky man as my partner.

Fine, you take old man. Let's go.

Get balls!

I got your balls right here,

you Greek bastard.

You don't wanna play this guy, anyway.

He may be a jackass,

but he plays pretty good.

Here, hold my coat, will you? Thanks.

Here, stick around.

Play some cards or something, all right?

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