9- ball is rotation pool.
The balls are pocketed in numbered order.
The only ball that means anything...
that wins it, is the 9.
The player can shoot eight trick shots in a row...
blow the 9, and lose.
On the other hand...
the player can get the 9 in on the break...
if the balls spread right, and win.
Which is to say that luck plays a part in 9-ball.
But for some players...
Iuck itself is an art.
Colour.
Check the colour.
Dead giveaway, you know?
It's thick. You can almost feel it.
Lay down and let it roll all over you.
That's single malt.
On the other hand, you got something like Old Mcdonnell.
More like Young Mcdonnell, actually.
Tastes like 6- year-old bonded.
Smell this.
Mmm.
Hmm?
That's good stuff.
Yeah.
Very good stuff.
I can get you a case for $35.50 less...
than your wholesaler can get you a case of Jack Daniel's.
Go peddle that to one of your hotel chains.
Peddle?
I don't do that, do l? This is family.
I'm glad to see you, too.
Come to my house tonight.
I'll make you an omelet.
I'll make the omelets.
Did you forget the omelet I made you last time?
No.
What was in it?
Sweet sausage.
Hey, I never made you sweet sausage.
Eddie.
Come on, what was in it?
Sour.
Sour cream and caviar, right?
Okay. Excuse me.
Eddie.
Julian, am I working?
I'm working, too.
This guy is up for 20 a rack.
What guy?
Playing 2, 21/2 hours for 5 a game.
He's up 300.
I've been playing him off.
Yo, Vincent!
Vincent, we're on.
Hey, Vincent.
Can you believe this guy? Hey, Vinnie.
You slide this stuff into a bottle of Old Granddad...
you'd hardly be lying.
Pick me up. I get off at 10:00.
Not without me you don't.
Do you?
Lately...
Wait a minute. I'm talking bourbon.
You know the secret?
These people get a hold of aged kegs.
You're tasting low fusel oil content.
Just like the big guys. It's the kegs.
Where do you get the kegs?
Hey.
That was fast. What the hell happened?
I slipped.
He slipped.
Where do they get the kegs?
They just do. Do whatever you want.
It'll leave the warehouse one way or another.
On the snap, Vincent.
That kid's got a sledgehammer break.
Bottoms up.
Do you know who loves this stuff?
The Chinese.
It must be the low fusel oil content.
Don't kid yourself. It has its effect.
It's like those things you take for granted, like electricity.
Eddie, loan me another 20.
Who you working, me or him?
He's on the ropes. He just lucked out.
You know me, right?
Take it easy.
Woo!
Woo! Woo! Woo!
Victory.
Pick us out a nice bottle of wine.
Red or white?
On the snap, Vincent.
Hey, Eddie, about those labels.
Can you get me some Wild Turkey labels?
Sure.
...Oh, one more night
'Cause I can't wait forever
Give me one more night
Give me just one more night
Give me one more night
I can't wait forever...
Hiya. How you doing?
...Like a river to the sea
I will always be with you
And if you should sail away
I will follow you
Give me one more night
Give me just one more night
Kid draws some bead, huh?
Oh, one more night
I can't wait forever
I know there'll never be a time...
Play him again. You really got him on the ropes.
One more, right, chief?
I got to split.
You're going.
Come on, one more game.
I'm bust.
So let's just play play.
What?
Play for play. No money.
Play play?
Show me what you got.
Vincent.
Julian, I just want your best game.
I think the money's throwing you off today.
...One more night
'Cause I can't wait forever
How about I win, no money.
You win, I'll throw you 20.
One more night
No?
'Cause I can't wait forever
What's the matter with this guy?
All right, Carmen, who's next?
Nobody.
Hey.
You want to play me?
For your girlfriend.
One game.
No.
I'll spot you the 7 and 8.
I'll give you the table.
You want to play him?
Me?
Sure.
20 a rack.
No. 500 a rack.
Oh, you serious?
I never kid about money.
Ha ha ha ha!
Cowards!
Off with their heads.
You don't know what you're doing, do you?
What do you mean?
Well, you just blew 500 bucks.
That kid, he has both arms in traction...
he beats anybody in the room.
Yeah, he could.
So I'll offer it to you again.
I'll play him for 500 bucks.
You don't know what to say, do you?
Maybe I'm hustling you, maybe I'm not.
You don't know, but you should know.
If you know that, you know when to say no.
What should I say?
You should say no.
Why? Because it's too much money
and I'm an unknown.
He should be the unknown.
That would be nice.
That would be beautiful.
You could play around with that.
You could control that.
I'll offer it to you again.
I'll play him for 500 bucks.
No.
Actually, you should have said yes.
It's very hard to know that.
It's very complex...
Iike which twin has got the Toni.
Maybe they both got the Toni.
Maybe Toni's a guy. It's very complicated.
Plus it's too much money.
God, you're crazy.
No, I'm not. Just common sense.
How about I take you guys out for dinner tonight?
You should ask Vincent.
No. You should ask Vincent.
You know the last time Julian lost for me?
It's just a game, man. Some balls and a stick.
9- ball's not that tough.
Stalker is tough.
It's his video game.
Vincent's the best at it.
In pool, you just got these balls.
You take your time, set up a shot.
Can you make any money playing Stalker?
I'll tell you what I can do off Stalker.
10 years from now, I can go to West Point.
It's all coming down to video-game reflexes.
Computerized tanks, Star Wars.
In 10 years, a heavy scorer on Stalker...
is a shoo-in at the Point.
You are beautiful.
What do you mean, "money"?
Money money.
Really?
Hey, look.
If you got an area of excellence...
you're the best at something, anything...
then rich can be arranged.
Rich can come fairly easy.
Really?
You got some other area of excellence besides Stalker?
9- ball, right?
You're some piece of work.
You're also a natural character.
I've been telling her that. I got natural character.
That's not what I said, kid.
I said you are a natural character.
You're an incredible flake.
But that's a gift.
Guys spend half their lives inventing that.
You walk into a poolroom with that "go, go, go..."
guys will be killing each other...
trying to get to you.
You got that.
But I'll tell you something, kiddo.
You couldn't find big time...
if you had a road map.
Pool excellence is not about excellent pool.
It's about becoming something.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Like what?
You got to be a student...
of human moves.
See, all the greats that I know of...
were students of human moves.
Students of human moves?
Yeah. That's my area of excellence.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
Ahem.
What?
That guy at the end of the bar...
he's been hustling that broad for half an hour.
He's going to throw in the towel in 300 seconds for a buck.
You got it. Starting now.
10 seconds.
What do you mean, rich can be arranged?
Shh.
22, 23, 24...
25, 26, 27, 28.
Guess the news. You lose.
And I just missed it by a couple of seconds.
Want to up the bet?
Yeah.
Check for the meal says I leave with her in two minutes.
Okay. Ready, go.
Now. I'm counting.
I know this will sound crazy...
but would you come outside and look at my car?
Your car?
Yeah.
Come on.
Hold it here for a second.
Human moves, kid.
You study the watch...
but I study you.
You get the check. Excuse me.
Cab's on me.
What's with the car, Eddie?
Nothing. I'll drive you home.
I hated to see you sitting alone.
Did you see Julian?
Yeah. Does he still got his nighttime job?
He wanted to talk to you, but you were busy.
Where did you go?
What?
You certainly weren't here.
Oh, yeah? Where was l?
God, the earth moved.
Didn't it move for you a little bit?
That was a train.
No, it was you...
but it certainly wasn't San Juan.
I mean, if you're going to talk earth moving...
you got to talk San Juan.
Remember that waterbed we had?
God!
Sometimes I think about that week.
When I'm behind the bar...
I think, "l'm going to get me a waterbed..."
and not tell anybody...
Just make it a surprise.
Get some rum and pineapple juice.
You couldn't tell me one word I just said...
could you?
No, I couldn't.
Waterbed, rum, pineapple juice.
Not that, it's...
I don't know, that kid today...
it was like watching a home movie.
Ah, it just made me wonder.
Wonder what?
It made me wonder about San Juan.
What did you mean last night about money...
and all that stuff?
I want to show you something.
So this is liquor money.
Some. Do you know what I invest in?
Excellence.
You think Vincent's that good?
Well, he's got the eye. He's got the stroke.
He's got the flake down cold...
but can he flake on and flake off?
I don't know whether that can be taught.
He's got to learn how to be himself, but on purpose.
Yeah.
Do you like to travel?
Yeah.
You like hotels?
They're okay.
Are you going to help me with him?
That lady you picked up last night-
you knew her from before, right?
Mm-hmm.
And the guy.
You probably had his schedule down cold.
Maybe he's your brother-in-law.
You're a hard broad.
What does Vincent see in you?
Vincent's the best.
That's what he sees in me.
We've just been together about a year.
Vincent made us get a place together.
You know how we met?
My old boyfriend last year got busted
breaking into Vincent's parents' house.
We met at the police station.
You were bailing your boyfriend out.
No. I got busted, too.
I was driving the car.
See this?
Look.
Vincent's mother's.
He gave that to you?
Nope. From the robbery.
Vince says his mother has one just like it.
He's sweet.
Vincent's real sweet.
The problem with this one is that it's made in Taiwan.
You want something for your kid to bounce in.
What animal bounces?
Kangaroo.
It comes from Australia.
This is Australian made.
It's twice as expensive...
but it's three times better than Taiwan.
I'll take 15 off.
Yeah, okay.
All right, Mr and Mrs Randall...
it's a good buy.
Lou, could you write them up?
If you ever need anything, Vincent, okay?
Thanks.
Mr Felson, what can I do you for?
Eddie is okay.
In fact, just plain Ed if you want.
Ed. Yes, sir.
Can we talk privately?
There's a 9-ball tournament, end of April.
I think we ought to go.
We?
Yeah. Me, you, and Carmen.
Yeah? That sounds like a lot of fun.
We ought to leave tomorrow.
Tomorrow. Why not leave today?
What is it with this guy?
If you're going to take the plunge...
give yourself a fair shake.
Don't go half-assed.
Go on the road for six weeks. Get some seasoning.
Why don't you ask Julian?
Julian's known. You're nobody.
I get better bets with you.
If there's some other way...
that I can be honest with you, tell me.
This is my job, Eddie.
You think so?
That's funny. I don't think so.
I think it's your problem.
What is?
Well, you're hooked on Carmen, aren't you?
Yeah.
Crazy about her?
You're getting a little personal here.
What?
You're losing her, kiddo.
What do you mean?
She don't get the allure of this place.
Hey, Vincent.
Wait.
Take a good look at her.
She's starting to pack.
You don't know her.
I didn't know that broad at that bar either.
She's bored, Vincent.
Are you listening to what I'm telling you?
What are you saying?
You, me, her on the road. Six weeks.
She'll be a couple years catching her breath.
Vincent, these people-
Lou, I'm talking here.
Do me a favour. Take care of them.
He's late for his coffee break.
Go on, get back to work...
but think about it, okay?
Take your time. I'll give you five seconds.
Five seconds.
You know where to find me...
if you want to talk.
Vincent. Don't worry about it.
lf I can hold you tonight
I might never let go...
If anybody asks, I'll be in the back.
I might never let go
lf I can hold you tonight
Come on in.
Hey, Eddie.
Uh... what we were talking about yesterday...
I just wanted to ask you some questions about it.
What happens?
I mean, what happens?
Damn.
It's a Balabushka.
It's beautiful.
It makes the others look like stickball bats.
This yours?
You want it?
No.
This isn't for me.
I don't know who this is for.
No, this isn't for me.
John Wayne would carry something like this...
if he played pool.
Babe Ruth.
No. I...
No, I can't accept this.
Go ahead, take it.
You're pushing pretty hard.
You betcha.
I've been thinking about nothing else all day.
I don't know what to tell you, Eddie.
It doesn't matter.
Go outside. Horse around with it.
You don't like it, bring it back.
Eddie.
Hey, Eddie.
I was talking to Carmen the other night...
feeling her out.
Oh, Willie. Wait a minute.
Sorry. Go ahead.
I said I was talking to Carmen the other night...
feeling her out.
I think you're wrong, man.
She's doing real good.
Okay. I'm glad I'm wrong.
Willie.
No. I don't know.
I can make it in half an hour.
Sure.
Where's Carmen, my girlfriend?
She just went in the bathroom.
You know what this is?
Balabushka.
Balabushka?
Where'd you get a Balabushka?
Eddie Felson gave it to me.
Eddie gave you a Balabushka?
Yeah.
You know what that's worth?
Yeah.
That guy died about 15 years ago.
It must be a collector's item.
...Snake's in the garden
Apple's on the tree
All of this looks easy
None of this is free
You might get lucky
Got the will to win
You need a little failure
To thicken your skin
Everybody's talking
They promise you the moon
It's made of paper
And you find out pretty soon
Who owns this place?
Who?
Who owns this place?
I'm talking to you...
It's my word against yours.
I'm a rare book expert.
Have you seen my girlfriend?
She went out.
Where?
Hey, she's your girlfriend.
Hey.
Everything okay?
Yeah.
Where'd you go?
I went out for cigs.
They sell cigarettes right here.
So I got them across the street.
You needed some fresh air, right?
What's your problem?
No problem. There's no problem.
I'm glad to hear it.
I just didn't know where you went.
I'm going to sit down now. Is that okay?
Yeah.
I might go to the bathroom in about half an hour. Is that okay?
I'll be sure and tell you when.
Hey, look.
I just didn't know where you went.
Let's not make a federal production out of this, okay?
Okay!
Okay.
It's a Balabushka. Eddie gave it to me.
Great.
Who owns this place?
Excuse me. Eddie?
I've been thinking about it.
Let's do it, okay?
Great.
I wonder what's upstairs.
Why?
Well, there might be something soft...
for you to lean against...
so I don't crush your skirt.
In the Bahamas, do they tango or rumba?
Samba, I think.
How's that Old Mcdonnell working out?
You're drinking it now.
You're serious.
- It's good stuff. - It's very good stuff.
Yo, Eddie, my man, hey.
Why don't you look in the mirror...
before you leave the john?
I hate that shit.
Better than that shit.
Will you be around Monday?
A guy's set up in Camden.
No. I'll be out of town for a few weeks.
Bullshit.
What, you're taking that guy on the road? What's his name?
It's none of your business.
He's a chump. He beat me one night.
I'll put the 9-ball up both your asses.
Are you serious? Taking him on the road?
When's the last time you did the road, 1960?
They didn't even have cars then.
What? Come on? You bangin' his girlfriend?
Right? You can tell me.
Jeez, you are the best, Julian.
Let me play him tonight.
Winner gets in the car with you.
You're the best.
You're not the only stake horse around.
See you in Atlantic City.
Don't look too hard for me.
We're going to the Bahamas.
I just didn't say when.
Appreciate hearing about it from that dope fiend.
I didn't want to tell anybody.
Makes me feel great, Eddie.
That guy sucks. So do you!
I'm wrong, but let me do it my way!
Do it any way you want.
I want to go on the road.
Your things at my apartment...
you'll find in a suitcase out front, okay?
Hey, wait a-
I'm sorry.
I cover all expenses- food, room, entry fees.
For that, I get 60% of your winnings.
I also take the losses if you lose.
For that, I get 60% of what you win.
60%? What are you, a slumlord?
Honey, you find a newcomer...
with a better deal, come to me, we talk.
Don't worry. I'm not going to lose often.
Yes, you will. That's what I'll teach you.
Sometimes if you lose, you win.
So who's the heaviest guy?
I'm the heaviest guy, right, Eddie?
It doesn't make sense. It goes in streaks.
The balls roll funny for everybody, kiddo.
There's this guy- Grady Seasons.
He's making the most on paper...
but that doesn't mean anything.
The money's in the practise room.
That's where you get good games.
You can get wiped out at the tournament...
hang around the practise room...
and make more money than the tournament winner.
Hear that? The practise room.
Hey, watch the paint.
What? Oh.
Is that metal on your jacket?
- Sorry. - Shit.
I'm starved.
Rub-a-dub, here's the grub.
My pancakes are burnt.
Wait a minute.
We ordered four on, two up.
I don't want sausage.
Sorry. It's the wrong order.
That's a dead giveaway-
Four on two.
Oh. Egg talk.
She was the killer waitress...
at the Acropolis.
She did them a favour and quit. Ow.
You think he's the only one who has to work?
How come you don't play pool any more?
I quit.
Actually, somebody retired me.
Sometimes you meet the wrong people.
That was a long time ago, back east.
It's dead and buried.
I won my share of medals.
Don't you ever feel like picking it up again?
I mean, you're always around those pool halls.
I'm too old. My wheels are shot.
It's a young man's game.
Besides, there's drugs now.
Kids are playing on coke, speed.
When I was younger, it was booze.
Somehow it was more human.
Booze, huh?
Booze. Yeah.
Wine. It goes back to the Bible.
The Bible never mentions amphetamines.
You religious, Eddie?
Me? I get high on the man upstairs.
Isn't there a masters tournament?
I seen this on television- Them old golfers...
Iike an old-timers tournament.
If you're too old to cut the mustard, you can lick the jar.
Nobody ever asked me for a refund, honey.
Not yet.
We're just talking around things here.
It ain't about pool, sex, love.
It's about money.
The best is the guy with the most...
in all walks of life.
Are you the best liquor salesman?
You betcha.
What a way to get your feet wet.
This place is a classic.
Put that in the trunk.
What will I play with?
A house cue.
Go in with that, nobody will come near you.
I can't believe it. I got goose bumps.
I love it.
You watch for a while.
I got to see this guy.
I can't wait to see what's next.
Good thing I didn't bring the Balabushka, huh?
60%? Are we going to divvy this up in the car?
Enough!
All right. Yes.
Had enough, junior?
Hold on.
What are you doing, Vincent?
Beat him, eat him, and go.
I can't take his money.
There's a hole in his throat.
So what?
The guy's breaking my heart.
Look. He's on his last legs.
It's only 60 bucks. It's no big deal.
No big deal?
You want me to quit?
Yeah, if you're going to keep dumping like this.
Unless... show me.
Make it a real performance.
Dump like a professional.
Like a professional.
Okay, chief, play you for 300.
Get the car.
What for?
Just bring it around front.
Head it that way.
That's the wrong way, Eddie.
Just do what I tell you.
Yeah, right.
Easy shot. I miss this, I'm a chump.
Easy. Straight in.
Tough one's the 4, though.
I don't know.
Oh, my God, l-
Oh, my God. Do you believe-
Don't even bother.
I just can't hit nothing.
That's it, kid. Where's the money?
Yeah, I know. That's it.
Uh... Eddie?
Eddie!
Where's the money?
Eddie's got the money.
Where'd they go?
They left.
Relax. Take it easy.
What's the matter with you guys?
Get your hands off. I'll get your money.
What are you doing? Relax.
Take it easy! Take it easy!
Hey! Enough!
I'm his father.
You little bastard!
I tell you when to play.
Ease off! Family.
Get out of here, yo-yo.
You punk, I hope your mother...
kicks the shit out of you.
Okay, go, go, go, go!
Where to?
Just take the parkway south.
You never-
You never ease off on somebody like that...
not when there's money involved.
That's the problem with mercy, kid.
It just ain't professional.
Let me look at your face.
Ah, you'll live.
You'll live, right?
Get out of my face, will you? Jeez.
My father.
Saved your ass.
Carmen, what's to be learned from this?
Nice guys finish last.
Is that original, or did you make that up?
Vincent, you're so sexy with that bloody lip.
Shut up.
You guys want me to drive?
No. I'm good.
- That slime ass son-of-a-bitch. - What?
That guy with the hole-
Stick a pool cue down his throat.
Go back there with a fucking cannon and blow their asses away.
Vincent, that's gross.
Next time, kid.
One of you guys know where the Triant Motel is?
The what?
Triant Motel.
Yeah, go left on Aurora...
and right on Seneca.
Chalkies still around?
- Chalkies? - Yeah, it's a pool hall.
I know. It's still around.
What, it's supposed to move somewhere?
Some things never change, huh?
Man, I wouldn't bet on it.
Eddie, enter.
Hey, good morning.
Come on, let's get going, guys.
I'm ordering room service. You want anything?
Food- you hungry?
I hate the weather.
Can't get room service in a motel.
Come on, let's check out Chalkies.
Tell your girlfriend to get going.
Meet you in the lobby.
What about food? I'm starved.
- Vincent? - Yeah?
Don't change the shirt. It's a nice touch.
And leave the cue stick.
What's the use of having it?
This was a nice bad neighbourhood. Now look.
Will they all be like this?
On your pool hall scale, what do you rate this?
10.
At least it's got tables.
Squeeze me in?
Table number seven for Fast Eddie.
Yeah, see, you don't recognize Orvis...
from way back when.
Well, son-of-a-bitch. What the hell you doin' here?
Now you're starting to remember.
- How long you want it for? - Couple hours.
The last time I saw you, you were sweeping up at Mcgeer's.
Sweeping up at Mcgeer's. That's right.
Then I started working here for Chalkie...
till he got scared of the bad element.
Since then I've been running Chalkies.
What can I do for you? Looking for action?
Usually I steer for 20%...
but for you, it's 10.
My friend here wants a game.
How you doin', Orvis?
Wild place you got here.
Eddie, are you stake horsing?
Know who you got stake horsing for you?
This here's fast Eddie Felson.
Who the hell are you- the end of the world?
Ease it up, will you, Orvis?
Him I'll steer for 15...
since he's staked...
by Fast Eddie the stake horse.
Playing 9-ball or straight?
I'll set it up for you.
The table will cost you $12.
It's in the way that you use it...
Maybe you should go back to the motel.
Why?
There are rape artists here.
Maybe you should go back...
pretty boy like you.
Ooh, you're such a cute boy.
Carmen.
- Vincent. - Not here.
Hey, let me give you the scoop.
See the guy with the tie pin in his nose?
That's Moselle.
Him you stay away from.
- No shit. - Grow up.
He's the main stick around here.
You beat him...
it scares away that gentleman.
- Who's he? - Earl.
He comes in with $6,000 in his pocket.
Jesus.
Yeah. Runs the numbers.
Orvis says he don't mind losing.
He just don't like giving it away.
You beat Moselle...
old Earl there loses interest.
What happens now?
Nothing for a little while.
We'll play over here.
He'll be watching you, and he'll come to you.
Who am I going to play?
Me.
You? Okay.
I want her to go back.
Oh, Christ.
This place is a damn bird land.
I've dated worse guys.
Watch your hands.
Okay, okay, okay.
Okay, that's enough. That's enough. Okay.
That's enough.
Have Orvis call a cab back to the hotel.
I don't want- goddamn it.
Jesus Christ.
No thunderbolt breaks, no runned over 4-balls.
Just take it easy.
She never went out with any guys like these.
Vincent, will you pay attention?
That guy Earl is paying attention.
Are you listening to me?
Yeah, yeah.
Want me to break, or do you want to?
No. I'll break.
What did they do, saw the legs off?
It's a table for dwarves or something.
Oh, come on, Fast Eddie.
Let's see some heavy legend action here.
There's got to be 305 balls down there.
Not bad. This ain't pool.
This is for bangers.
Straight pool is pool.
This is like handball...
or cribbage or something.
Straight pool you got to be a real surgeon...
to get it-
You know, it's all finesse.
Now everything is 9-ball because it's fast...
good for TV...
good for a lot of break shots.
Oh, well. What the hell.
Checkers sells more than chess.
Pretty damn good.
Not bad for a blind man. Rack 'em up.
Yes, sir. Rack 'em up for Mr Fast Eddie.
I haven't played serious pool...
since before you were born...
and right away, I'm laying them to waste.
Watch this. 9 on the break.
Ooh!
- Damn! - All yours.
That was phenomenal.
I'd like to play that big dude Moselle.
I bet he ain't that good.
Yeah?
I don't know, Eddie. Maybe you're right.
Maybe this game is just for bangers.
Cool it.
But the thing is...
even if it is just for bangers, everybody's doing it.
If everybody's doing it...
There's a lot of guys doing it.
A lot of guys doing it...
but only one guy can be the best.
Eddie, hey!
Hey!
Eddie.
Eddie! Eddie, what-
Where you goin'?
All right, hey.
Those were easy shots, man.
Come on.
I'm a smart ass. I was showing off.
I'm sorry. All right?
This is turning into a waste...
of my time and money.
Where are you going?
You're going to leave me here?
What-
I don't believe this guy!
Child care.
Eddie.
- Vincent back? - Yeah, but he's out.
- What do you mean, out? - Not in the room.
- Mind getting dressed? - Why? Are we going somewhere?
What if I was somebody else?
- Like who? - That's not the point.
I'm not naked or anything.
Work with me, not against me.
Don't talk to Vincent like you did at Chalkies.
Gets him upset. Use that thing right.
Use what thing?
Come on.
What are you doing?
Me and you.
Quick one before Vincent gets back.
All right? Hey.
I'm not your daddy or your boyfriend...
so don't play games with me.
I'm your partner.
You don't flirt with me.
Don't flatter yourself.
Don't waste my time with bullshit, Carmen.
We got a racehorse here...
a thoroughbred.
You make him feel good, I teach him how to run.
We're businesspeople.
Got you.
Where's the Balabushka?
Vincent took it.
You said he was out.
He was in and out.
He took the cue stick?
Yes.
You let him?
Well, so what?
Shit.
Oh, man, I'm sorry.
Jesus. Goddamn. Child care!
Shit.
Good game. Good game.
What you got in there?
In here?
Doom.
Come on, boy, let's play.
Yeah, let's play. We'll have a lot of fun.
Ow-ooo werewolves of London
Ow-ooo
Hey!
He's the hairy-handed gent who ran amuck in Kent
Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair
You better stay away from him
He'll rip your lungs out, Jim
Ha! I'd like to meet his tailor
Ow-ooo werewolves of London
Ow-ooo
Werewolves of London
Ow-ooo
Well, I saw Lon Chaney walkin' with the Queen
Doin' the werewolves of London
I saw Lon Chaney, Jr. walkin' with the Queen
Hoo!
Doin' the werewolves of London
I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada
At Trader Vic's
His hair was perfect
Ow-ooo
Werewolves of London
Huh!
Ow-ooo
Ow!
Woo!
Not bad, my man, not bad.
When you leaving town? Now, right?
You don't want to play me again?
Don't kill me.
That boy's hot.
Did you see me tonight?
Hey! What?
I m- I made money.
You lost money.
The town is dead for you.
Do I not speak your native language? What is the matter?
You give me this stick and tell me to lay low.
The goddamn thing, I lay it down and it jumps up at me!
You don't deserve this stick.
I don't deserve this?
You don't deserve this stick.
Alls you do is you sit in there.
You talk. You tell me things.
I played. I'm a fuckin' pool player.
You know something?
I'm a fuckin' animal!
Ow-ooo!
Animal!
Vincent, get in the car.
This is embarrassing.
You're acting like some girl...
who got felt up in a drive-in.
It looks terrible.
Tough shit.
How much did you take off of Moselle?
I heard 100.
150.
150?
Yeah. 150.
Walk into a shoe store with 150 bucks...
you leave with one shoe.
We were working on 5,000.
Come on.
Get in. It's cold.
Vincent.
You got me talking to myself.
Half of me says I got a hold of...
the best thing I ever seen.
Half of me says it ain't worth it.
Either I don't teach you right...
or you don't listen...
or you listen, but you don't hear.
What was that voodoo stuff?
That wasn't pool. That was a circus.
You dropped your pants.
You want to get down? Good.
You and Gypsy Rose Lee.
I can always go back to whiskey.
It's been very good to me.
You're sitting in it, and I'm wearing it...
but it's tired.
You know, it's just kind of run on.
You appear on the scene, I'm jumping again.
You remind me that- that money won...
is twice as sweet as money earned.
25 years ago, I had the screws put on me.
It was over for me...
before it really got started.
But I'm hungry again...
and you bled that back into me.
You got to have two things to win.
You got to have brains...
and you got to have balls.
You've got too much of one...
and not enough of the other.
I mean, I don't know.
Tell me what you want to do.
Give me a clue.
Uh...
Um, yeah.
I'll try.
I'll really try, you know?
Let's go for it.
You know, Eddie, I mean, uh...
it's just tough for me to lay down.
You know, it's just, uh...
I get in there, and it's just tough.
It's just, uh, it's just tough to lay down...
but i'll try. Okay?
Tough to lay down, huh?
Well, roll over, sweetheart.
Give me.
What?
90 bucks.
60% of 150 is 90 bucks.
I wake you up?
Well, do you want to hang up?
Are you still pissed off at me?
Well, if you were, uh, I'd understand.
I don't know.
Uh, I'm having nightmares, sweats, and everything.
What kind of rent are you paying?
I said what kind of rent do you pay?
Well, listen.
Ahem.
After the Bahamas...
maybe you could move in with me...
just for practise.
What do you mean?
No, nothing's going on. What are you, a shrink?
I miss you. I say nice things to you.
Fine.
A couple of curve balls every now and then.
They're young. They're kids.
No, no. You're perfect.
I love this. You should have seen Eddie play last night.
Terrific.
Are we going to make some money today?
We'll make some money. Definitely.
I'm a wild man today.
Did you ever hear of a hustle...
called two brothers and a stranger?
That's the guy in the Bible...
with the many-coloured coats, right?
I'm joking, you guys. Come on.
Did I get through to you?
I'll run it by you another way.
If you'd have kicked ass...
in any place but Chalkies...
Atlantic City would be dead for us.
The guys never leave the street.
Otherwise, it would be all around.
Let me tell you something.
Last night- people never talked to me...
Iike that before.
You really talked to me.
I want you to know I appreciate it.
I want to thank you for everything. Uh...
Ahem.
Don't worry, kid. Don't worry.
Two brothers and a stranger.
You got two guys who go into a bar, see?
Give me two hours.
They'll be building me a trophy wall.
That kid gets to have all the fun.
Lock and load.
All right. Who's next here?
You guys want to play? No. Anybody? Want to play?
Forget it.
Spot you the break here.
Come on, I'll spot you the break.
I want the 7-ball, too.
How about the 8? I'll give you the 8.
What do you want? You up? Let's go.
Ha ha ha!
Why don't you keep it down?
What did I say? I coughed.
Well, ya ga ga ga.
Stop it, Eddie.
Do you mind?
Excuse me?
It's a money game here, guy.
Ha ha!
Big money game.
Right. So take your hands off the girl...
and let us play, okay?
What do you care where I put my hand?
Gramps, put your teeth in, get your hands off your daughter and pay attention.
You might learn something today.
I'll change my teeth. You change your goddamn diapers.
Hey, we've got a game going here.
Really? What are you playing for?
What's it to you?
What are you playing for?
50.
You want to win?
I'll bet 500 bucks on this guy here.
Huh?
I think you're a choker.
500 bucks says you choke.
Why don't you take a walk?
Anybody want to bet?
What are you starting trouble for?
- I'm going to leave. - Jerk.
Want to go for 1,000?
I know. I mean...
you'd think he would have seen it.
Oh, my God, he got suckered...
into that so easy.
Unbelievable. Unbelievable.
What's up? What do you think?
Get in the car.
Get away from me.
What the hell is the matter with you?
Did you have a good time?
I'm disappointed, frankly.
Frankly, your ass! I seen you.
Don't give me that.
Seen what?
Screw this. I don't need this. I'm gone.
I'm going home. Come on.
- The hell you are. - The hell I am?
You're going home alone, man.
Is it you and Eddie now?
Getting felt up by Eddie?
Come on.
You go in that place, you play your part.
I put my hands on her. It's acting.
Your hands were all over her!
It's acting!
Hey, look, Vincent...
when you go into movies...
and you see people kissing...
do you think they go home together?
They're professionals.
We're trying to be professionals.
Okay, you guys, it was just a little rough.
I ain't used to that, Carmen.
I don't know about this.
Vincent the kid, huh?
You're going to be one of the greats, kiddo.
I got a good feeling about this.
You say it's black, and you know it's white
You say it's day when you know it's night
You say it's good, and you know it's mean
It's the finest music that I ever seen
Don't tell me nothin'
Don't you tell me nothin'
Don't tell me nothin'
I can see that rock 'n' roll is good for me
You say it's a dog when you know it's a cat
You say it's a mouse when you know it's a rat
You say it's meat, and you know it's bread
You tell me it's gold when it's a hunk of lead
No, don't you tell me nothin'
Oh, don't you tell me nothin'
Don't you tell me nothin'
I can see that rock 'n' roll is good for me
Don't you tell me nothin'
Ha ha ha!
You say it's right, and you know it's wrong
You say it's short, and you know it's long
You say it's low when you know it's high
Tell me the truth and don't tell no lie
Don't tell me nothin'
Don't you tell me nothin'
Play another one?
Don't you tell me nothin'
I can see that rock 'n' roll is good for me
Are you sure...
You don't want to play again?
Woo! Woo! Woo!
Woo! Woo!
Don't
Hmm.
Do you smell what I smell?
Smoke?
Money.
Let's take a stroll around.
A starless black sky revealed
Somewhere in America
I can feel the tears, all lost and alone
And I feel...
Hey.
Check out that guy that's playing back there.
That guy?
Yeah. This is a golden opportunity.
You know who that is?
That's Grady Seasons...
the best money player in the world.
That's Grady Seasons? You want me to play him.
You bet.
And you are going to dump.
You are going to lose something fierce.
You'll ask for the spot and the break.
It'll be humiliating. This is beautiful.
What do you mean, dump?
If you lose bad now to this guy...
you'll be a super nobody in Atlantic City...
and the odds on you will drop to nothing.
- See? She learns. - Let me ask you.
These guys hustle, and they win.
How come I always got to play the jerk?
Why can't we hustle where I win?
Because there's something...
at the end of this.
I wouldn't have you do it...
unless the payoff was phenomenal.
Look, do whatever you want to do. Do whatever you want.
I'll play. I ask a question, he panics.
It's like a nightmare, isn't it?
It just keeps getting worse and worse...
Doesn't it?
Are you going to fall for this?
We're gonna pay hell for this
And now we can move through it
Oh. The impossible dream.
Let ourselves in for it...
Don't choke now.
It's not that hard a shot.
Did you just say, "don't choke now"?
You heard me.
Yeah. Yeah, I heard you.
Let ourselves in for it
Oh!
Let yourself in
Any way that you figure it
It's down here at our fingertips
Back again, again...
Hey, Grady.
Up your ass with the spot, okay with you?
Fine with me.
How you doing? Hmm?
Carmen, I'm playing here now.
I know.
Vincent, you win one more game...
you're gonna be humping your fist for a long time.
You got that, Vincent?
What are you doing, meditating?
Yeah?
Can I have the Balabushka?
Yeah.
Are you going to play, Eddie?
Yeah, maybe.
Where?
I don't know. Gunther's.
Are you mad at me about last night?
No. You done good.
Where's he going?
He's going to Gunther's, ja.
Hey, Bill.
Why don't you call Dud?
Just about to lose my mind
Never gonna let your love...
Thank you.
I'll have another Drambuie and potato salad.
Give my friend another J.T.S. Brown.
One more time?
Absolutely.
You remind me a lot...
of a guy I played about 20 years ago.
After that, five of us went on a road trip...
to San Antonio.
We didn't get any action.
The windup was we ended up playing each other.
That's all she wrote.
Nice book, though.
Buy you one?
No, I'll buy you one.
I'm going to play for a while.
It's crazy, you know.
I was working at this job busting my butt.
They didn't give me a raise.
My old lady, she leaves me...
because she says I'm a bum...
because I quit.
Then after, I start working at the university...
strictly for the experience.
Guess what I was.
What were you?
I was a subject.
A what?
A subject in the psych department.
I was a subject for experiments-
reflexes, memory things.
I didn't do anything...
when it got to electric shock.
I did just once, but it don't count.
Oh!
Okay.
That's 80.
- Do it again? - Yeah, sure, I don't care.
- Double or nothing? - Double or nothing.
Is there an echo?
Let's play.
Eddie, how you doing?
Holding my own and a little bit of his.
Good man.
Here.
Go!
Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
Fall!
Is that it?
Do it again.
Double or nothing?
What else?
All right.
Ha ha ha!
That is bullshit.
I never did that. That is luck, man!
I'm really sorry.
There's nothing I can do. The 9-ball fell.
I can't believe that.
Are you a hustler, Amos?
Come on, Eddie, man.
Luck.
Are you a hustler?
Hey, you don't want to pay me?
Keep it. Forget it.
I don't want no bad feelings.
When the big guy loses.
I lost, I paid. I don't...
Are you a hustler, Amos?
What?
You want to quit?
Fuck you, kid. Double it again.
Don't bother
Sure enough I do
Oh, well
Hey, I want to ask you something.
I want you to be honest.
You think I need to lose some weight?
...All of my life
Well, I sure don't remember
How could I get suckered like that?
You got to work hard.
That takes a real gift to show your ass like that.
Everything in a stack.
Everything- just probably a little too much booze...
a little too cocky...
right amount of jerk...
to miss all those fuckin' signals.
Hey.
Eddie, you'll get him next time.
How much would you need to go it on your own...
from here to Atlantic City?
What?
Should have wiped the floor with that guy.
Yeah? So?
How much would you need to go to Atlantic City?
A couple thousand?
Come on, Eddie.
You had too much to drink.
Let's forget about it.
I got nothing left to teach.
That was the last lesson.
Take the money.
Front for yourself. You'll do fine.
You're walking off?
Dumping us.
Dumping you?
I'm giving you a stake.
I showed you all I got.
What the hell else you want?
That's it! That's all!
What are we supposed to do?
Where we supposed to go from here?
Here's you, see?
Between you and Atlantic City...
there's about 27 pool halls.
Three weeks, a couple thousand dollars.
Why you talking this way?
You're played for a chump, so you walk out?
We'll get this guy next time...
Eddie.
Hey, hey!
You do this to some guy on the street...
not to me.
What about the stuff you told me?
You're going to ruin everything.
Carmen and me, you told me about that.
Okay, look, Eddie.
Hey, it's my attitude, right?
From now on-
Attitude, bullshit.
You always do what you want to do!
Don't tell me that!
I'm tired!
I try to do everything!
Take the money.
It's the last thing I can give you.
Let it go, Vincent.
You give me money to get rid of me.
You got a long way to go.
This is nickel-and-dime shit.
Shut up and give me money.
Make it 30,000.
I'll give you what I got!
You know something?
Just keep your fuckin' money, pal.
Here.
Fuck it.
Fuck.
Feel good, don't it?
I'm blind.
You're cool.
Better? The same? Worse?
Better.
Better? Same? Worse?
Better.
Better? Same? Worse?
I like the glasses.
Fast Eddie, this here's Moselle.
He plays pool.
No kidding.
That's a nice stick.
I get the break.
What's the book?
50 on Fast Eddie wins you 100.
50 on Moselle wins you 25.
Thanks.
Facts of life, man.
100 on the side?
Read my mind.
Rack 'em up.
Give it up.
Eddie.
Moselle.
Moselle. Moselle.
- Shh! - Shh!
- Yeah! - All right!
You guys going to Atlantic City?
That's $4.00.
You need at least $5.00.
Resorts lnternational Hotel And Casino...
on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City...
welcomes you to our casino.
As anyone can tell you...
the greatest secret to success...
on the casino floor is knowing how to play the game.
There are slot machines, roulette, blackjack, craps...
deep-six, and baccarat tables.
Some have simple, easy-to-learn rules...
but most are more complicated...
The rules, regulations, and pay-out odds...
are established and supervised...
by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
Knock 'em dead.
I'll try.
Hey!
Keep saying now
"Daddy, I have to leave you"
Oh, yeah
"But I'm in love with another guy"
Oh, no, no
I couldn't believe...
Hey, Eddie.
What?
You playing?
Got a problem with that?
No. You got any problem with that?
If it makes you happy, do it.
I just wanted to say hello.
Hello, test. 1, 2, 30.
1, test.
Ladies and gentlemen...
it's nice to see so many faces here...
for today's 9-ball classic.
Players, start your matches.
I didn't deserve that.
Is this your first tournament, Duke?
Match to Mr Felson.
11 games to 5.
I didn't deserve that.
Yes, you did.
Tall and tan and young and handsome
The boy from lpanema goes walking
And when he passes
Each girl he passes goes
Ahh!
We'll play 10 games.
You win 8. I got to win 10.
I'll put up $1,200. You put up $800.
I win 8 games to your 10?
You're putting up $1,200 to my $800?
This is a good deal, isn't it?
This guy won the Akron Open, Vincent.
There is no such thing.
What have I been reading?
I can win 8 games.
I just don't like the deal.
What don't you like, lady?
Up your end to 1,500.
$300 isn't going to kill the guy!
All right. All right.
I shouldn't, but I will.
$1,500, how's that?
Okay. Yeah. I'm sorry.
Don't be sorry.
All right, it's 8:30.
How about 12:300 in the green room?
12:300. Great.
Terrific.
You can get these, right?
No problem.
We got it covered here.
$1,500?
Not bad, huh?
"Not bad, huh?"
He wouldn't go for more-
That guy had $2,000 written all over his face.
You gave him $500, and you're buying his drink.
Do it yourself next time.
I got to go rest.
Great.
Eddie.
You got new glasses. They look good.
If it isn't the kid and Carmen.
How's it going?
Can't complain. You?
$4,000 in 3 weeks.
Could have been better, could have been worse.
Well, I'm happy for you.
At 12:300 we're taking out that lame from Akron.
You want in on it?
Well, thanks, uh...
Iisten, I'll pass up on that.
I got to play at 10:00.
All right. It's on you.
Good luck tomorrow.
Same to you.
I got to go rest.
Uh, come get me in about three hours, okay?
In three?
Yeah. Yeah.
Going good?
Yeah. Yeah. We're doing okay.
You were right.
We didn't need you any more.
That's what I said.
You wouldn't believe Vincent now.
Oh, he's a new man, huh?
Why don't you take him up on tonight?
I got to get up early and play, so...
Well, see you around.
It's like a nightmare, isn't it?
You got lucky, you lucky prick.
Wipe your nose, will you, Julian?
You're going down, Eddie.
Oh! Goddamn.
Jesus Christ.
It keeps getting worse, doesn't it?
Take it on off. I can't help it.
Eddie.
Nice game, Eddie.
Thank you.
Dynamite game, Eddie.
Good game.
- Excuse me. - Way to go.
I'm doing fine.
I'm only feeling nervous because I feel good.
Yeah. Eyes feel good, legs feel great.
I get no grief down here.
Come on down and give me some grief.
Forget the Bahamas. This is it.
Hey.
It would be good having you here.
Pow!
Hey.
I'm going to beat him, you know.
Well...
Maybe.
Hello, Eddie.
That was nice.
...Ron Albrecht and Larry Schwartz.
Following match on table number eight...
Vincent Lauria and Eddie Felson.
Hey, you shot a great game.
The balls roll funny for everybody.
I told you that.
You shot a great game.
Ah!
Oh, come on.
Eddie!
- Who is it? - Vincent!
Oh, I can't believe it.
Hi, guys.
Should we come back later?
No. No. We were just-
Janelle's having a glass of cham-
Early bubbly. Come on in.
Listen, l-
I drew this guy Kennedy...
in the semifinals.
You know anything about him?
What's that?
That's for you.
- Hey, how you doing? That's your cut. - Cut of what?
- For the game. - What game?
Our game. Got a front to lay 4,000 on you. Then I dumped.
I dogged about four shots.
Eddie, you know, you are a very, very good player.
I feel shitty about getting booted but there's other tournaments, right?
Right.
You dumped, huh?
Carmen didn't want to go for it...
but I told her you would appreciate it.
There's $8,000 there.
After I beat Grady Seasons, the odds were a joke.
Two brothers and a stranger.
It was beautiful. It was fuckin' beautiful.
When I banked the 5- When I saw the table...
I knew it was going to be the 5.
To be able to just miss the pocket by a hair...
I mean, the audience..."oh!"
It was... It was... I...
$8,000 in there.
We got to split.
I got green room games for the next three nights.
These guys won't leave me alone.
You sure you don't want in on this? We're talking a lot of money.
Yeah. Maybe.
Okay.
I'll call you, okay?
Look, good luck with Kennedy, all right?
He's a little prick.
Ladies and gentlemen...
it's good to see you here for the semifinals...
of today's 9-ball classic.
Right now on table one...
will be, from Chicago, Larry Schwartz.
Larry will be playing...
St. Louis, Missouri...
...regional 9-ball champion Lorenzo Kennedy...
will be playing, as we welcome back...
Fast Eddie Felson.
Players, begin your matches.
What are you doing?
I forfeit.
Forfeit.
What do you mean, forfeit?
You can't forfeit.
What's he talking about?
He threw 50,000 away.
Come on, Eddie. Don't forfeit.
I don't want to win like this.
I don't want to win like that, though.
The match on table three...
has been forfeited by Eddie Felson.
Lorenzo Kennedy, win by default.
What do you say?
Why don't we get the hell out of here?
The Bahamas are looking real good to me about now.
Anyway, I got out of my lease.
All my stuff's in boxes.
That's nice.
I'm a real big fan of character in people.
I don't know if you knew that about me.
Character, huh?
Yeah.
Here it comes.
Vincent says this is yours.
You don't want it...
you should give it to charity.
What will that solve?
I don't know anything any more.
I want his best game.
Then go talk to him yourself.
He won't listen to me.
So I got to cover your ass now?
No. You got to save it.
Why should l?
I'll be in the green room.
Stings like a bitch, don't it?
Yes, it does.
You got brass, man. I'll give you that.
You want my game?
You couldn't deal with my game.
I ain't got a leg to stand on, but I'm asking you.
Shove it!
Don't do that.
I call the shots.
I don't have that many games left in me.
God! You used us! You used me!
Yes, I did...
but you're in Atlantic City now with the big boys.
You're not back there playing around with baby dolls.
Think about it. It's a wash.
About all that other stuff...
I don't take much pride in that.
It's even, but it ain't settled.
Let's settle it.
Why should l?
How long do you want me to fry? 5 years? 10 years?
You want to play kick the dog for the rest of your life?
Come on. Let's clean it up.
You want to play for the envelope? ls that it?
Whatever.
Thank you.
Eddie, what will you do...
when I kick your ass?
Pick myself up and let you kick me again.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah.
Just don't put the money in the bank, kid.
If I don't whip you now...
I'll whip you next month in Dallas.
Houston.
Houston, Dallas.
If not, a month after that in New Orleans.
What makes you so sure?
Hey, I'm back.