It was a quiet Thursday night at Rudys bar, some locals, a couple of farmers having a cold brew after a hot day in the sun. I ordered a pizza and a draft. A couple old friends were playing pool in the back, I took my beer and joined them. As the jukebox played some country song I'd never heard, I tossed a buck on the table to challenge the winner.
Andy won, so I racked. He hit a solid break and ran off 4 balls before scratching. I had a pretty tough leave but pulled some old magic outta my hat and ran the table. Andy slapped my back and headed to the bar for a beer. The bartender delivered the pizza and I eagerly grabbed a piece, it was too hot so I decided to check out the jukebox. As I picked out some Stones, Ac/Dc and some Thorogood, the back door of the bar opened up and she walked in.
You coulda heard a pin drop. The locals couldn't help but stare as she made her way to the bar. Andy zeroed right in, and asked if he could buy her a drink. She smiled, and said " Maybe later, but for now just tell me about the guy at the jukebox". Andy kinda scoffed, but replied " That's Paul, a friend of mine... now how about that drink'? She replied..." I told you maybe later, and I meant it thank you"
Andy went back to his beer with his tail between his legs, I surveyed the situation from a distance and decided it was best to stay right where I was.
She ordered a beer and a shot, straight whiskey, no chaser. I watched intently out of the corner of my eye as she downed the shot. She didn't reach for the beer, and a wicked smile crossed her face as she felt the slow burn of the whiskey. It was hard not to to be impressed and slightly intimidated, But I went back to my pizza, took a couple bites , then racked the balls on the table which I now owned. She watched my every move, careful to look away every time I tried to catch her stare.
I broke the balls, sunk 2 and made a terrible attempt at a bank shot . Then I heard it, " Do you always play with yourself? " I almost jumped through the roof, there she was, right behind me. I wheeled about face, and saw her naughty little smirk. She was mesmerizing, blonde hair, and eyes that looked like fireworks at midnight. I stumbled for a reply and finally choked out " This is my hometown, pretty cocky for a stranger aren't you?"
She took two steps back, cocked her head and took a long swig of her beer. She said "I figured all the locals were either gay or scared...I guess I was right." I scoffed, " you don't even know me, you don't have the right to judge me". She walked forward and I walked backward. She backed me right into the pool table and the all familiar wicked grin soon spread across her face.
"Seems I've got you backed it a corner, so which one are you, gay? Or scared? " I pushed her aside and muttered under my breath, " neither".
She said" so...how about a game? I know my way around a table."
With all the courage I could muster, I asked..."what are we playing for?" She replied " Pride". Fine. You rack. She racked... it was hard to concentrate as she deliberately racked the balls in the most agonizingly long manner. She finished, and I broke, sunk the two ball and scratched on the second shot. She smiled and took her turn, I wish it would've lasted longer as she methodically ran the table. She stood up, raised her empty beer, and said Michelob please.
