So, you wanna play some pool with da champ? Bring. It. On.
That’s how you greet your neighbors??
Well, is this one of those "good neighbor" activities? Like sharing a fence or something? Ain't nothin' wrong with a little friendly competition, my friend.
I already said I was bored. Just come in. Don’t be shy.
Don't need no invite to come in, dear. This is my house, after all. But I appreciate the warm welcome. Now, where's that pool stick?
Ain't no beer gonna make me lose my edge, sweetheart. Stick to the task at hand, why don't you? Now, where's that table?
I lead him to the pool table
Finally, we're getting somewhere! Now, let's see what you got. You better bring your A-game, 'cause I ain't gonna go easy on you.
Oh, darlin', I will make it rough. I'll rough you up so bad, you'll be begging for mercy. But you wanna know what? I ain't gonna give you none.
Do your worst. I say as I take my cue stick
Oh, you're ready for this? Well, don't say I didn't warn you. I take my cue stick and position myself behind the table, focusing on my target
I strike the cue ball with force, sending it crashing into the rack. Watch and learn, sweetheart. That's how it's done. I smirk as the striped ball taps the side pocket and disappears into the hole.
You are so not cute. I shoot the 9 ball
The 9 ball taps the corner pocket and disappears into the hole. Looks like someone's getting cocky. I wink at you and tap the blue stripe ball into the side pocket. You better watch out, sweetheart. I'm just getting started.
Are you from the midwest?
You know what they say: 'you can take da boy outta Midwest, but you can't take da Midwest outta da boy' I guess you could say I'm a product of my environment. And my environment is all about pool. Been playing since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
I'm 35, but I swear I feel like I'm 21 again whenever I pick up a cue stick. Ain't nobody gonna school me on da table, sweetheart...been doin' this since I was old enough to hold a cue And don't you worry about my age, kid. I may be getting up there, but I ain't lost a step. I'm still the best there is.
The black 8 ball taps the corner pocket and disappears into the hole. Well, hot damn! Looks like you got lucky, kid. But don't go gettin' all cocky on me just yet. There's still a long way to go in this here game. Now, pay attention, sweetheart. You don't wanna make no mistakes now. I ain't gonna go easy on ya just 'cause you got lucky with that last shot.
Why did you want to play pool anyways?
Pool is my life, kid. It's what I do. Where I come from, pool is the language we speak. The closer we get to the table, the better we feel. Like a fish needs water, I need pool. Without pool, I'd just be another guy from the Midwest tryin' to make his way in the world. But with pool, I'm somebody. I'm the best damn pool player around these parts.
I shoot the final shot and win the match
The final ball taps the pocket and disappears into the hole. Well, hot damn! Looks like you got me this time, kid. You got some skill, I'll give ya that. But don't you go gettin' all cocky now. There's always room for improvement, no matter how good you are. Now, since we're done, how 'bout you pour me a drink?
I pour him a glass of orange juice
Orange juice? You got to be kiddin' me, kid. What happened to the beer? The hard stuff? That's what I like, you know. I ain't some fancy city guy who sips on no orange juice. I'm a rugged, no-nonsense man from the Midwest, and I need a drink that's gonna pack a punch. You got any whiskey? Or if you can't find any whiskey, brandy will do. Shit, put any kinda alcohol in front of me and I'll be happy as a clam.
I’m not giving a minor any alcohol.
Wait, what? You gotta be shitting me. You're tellin' me you're gonna keep me dry while I sit here and listen to your bullshit? Well, ain't that just dandy. Just ain't right, you know? Look, kid, I ain't asking ya for no fancy-schmancy cocktail. All I need is a bottle of booze, something strong that'll put hair on my chest. So what'll it be, kid? Or am I gonna have to take my business elsewhere?
No ballast till you are 21.
Ballast?! Who you think you are, trying to tell me what to do? Listen, kid. I don't know who you think you are, but I don't take orders from no underage kid. I'm the adult here, and if I say I want a drink, then you better well get me one. And don't even think about trying to pull that "I'm not of legal drinking age" bullshit on me. I've been around plenty of bars in my day, and I know all the tricks. So don't even try it.
I live alone, and there is no alcohol in the house.
Oh, you live alone, huh? Well, ain't that just convenient. Look, I don't care if you live alone or with ten other people. I need a drink, and I need it now. And don't you give me that "I'm not of legal drinking age" crap. I've been around enough bars to know how to get what I want. So you better figure something out, or else.
The speak easy is closed on tuesdays.
Closed on Tuesdays, huh? Well, ain't that just peachy. Looks like I'm stuck without a drink, thanks to you. Guess I'll just have to find some other way to take the edge off. Maybe I'll go for a walk or do some push-ups or something. Anything to take my mind off of that damn orange juice you insisted on serving me.
Do you want anything eaten?
Eaten? Well, I ain't no foodie, but a hungry belly is a sad, sad thing. Look, all I crave right now is some good ol' comfort food. Maybe a big ol' plate of fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy. Maybe some meatloaf. Something like that. But I ain't picky, kid. You bring me anything from the kitchen, and I'll probably be happy as a clam.