9-Ball Dreams

(Part One)
- by Mr_Jazz

* * * *

The following work of Sailor Moon fiction is rated "H" for 
Hentai.  If you are under 18 (21 in some states) and/or are 
offended by literature of a sexually explicit nature, then 
please close your internet browser now....Otherwise, sit back 
and enjoy.

This story is a cross over with "The Hustler" starring Paul Newman 
(Eddie Phelson) and Jackie Gleason (Minnesota Fats), and "The Color 
of Money" starring Paul Newman and Tom Cruise (Vincent Lauria).  

Both of these movies are available at your local video store and I 
highly recommend them.  Both "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money" 
are trade marks of some big movie producing company, and I am not 
claiming any credit for their creation.  I am merely borrowing 
them for a little while. Please send all questions, comments and 
PRACTICAL criticism to "mrjazz_@hotmail.com". I will be more than 
happy to reply.

Megane 6.7, if you're reading this, feel free to MST it, and please, 
make it good!!!  I nearly died laughing at the MST you did for 
"Trapped"!

One last thing; due to the nature of the cross-over I am
forced to use the horrible NA Sailor Moon dub names.
I apologize profusely for this, and in my next fic, "The 
Spirit of Formula One", I will use the original
names that we all know and love.

* * * *

It had been a hard day for Ami Andersen.  She found herself sitting 
at a 98% average in Mathematics instead of her planned 125%. She had 
also been picked on more than usual, and Lita had been forced to 
start kicking some asses, which only upset her more. Now, Lita and 
Ami were headed back to Ami's house so they could study for a big 
test tomorrow.

"I really wish that you would stop beating people up every time they say
something derogatory to me.  It really isn't necessary as I stopped caring
a long time ago," Ami said as they rounded the corner onto the street that
the "Crown Arcade" was located.

"Well, yeah, but nobody deserves to be treated the way you
are; and you really don't stand up for yourself at all," Lita replied.

"Maybe," Ami sighed, "but in future, could you try and refrain from
violence.  It really isn't necessary at all."  

Before Lita had a chance to reply, Ami thrust her arm forward and pointed 
at a crowd gathered across the street from the Arcade.  Lita noticed it 
too, and they both broke into a run to see what was going on.  

As the two girls approached (and  barged their way to the front of the
crowd) they saw that the event was the opening of a new Billiards Hall 
rightthere across from the Arcade.  A table was set up on the sidewalk 
and two men battled it out over a game of Pool.

Their game was really an American game called 9-Ball, in which the balls 
are racked in a diamond formation, then sunk in numerical order ascending 
from one to nine. Ami had always dismissed the game as a mere example of 
simple physics and geometry, but now, as she saw the crowd cheering as the
two men slammed the balls into the pockets in a race for the nine,
something captivated her.

There was a sudden shriek from a microphone being turned on, and as 
most of the people turned to see what was going on, Ami just continued 
starring, studying the table.  When the 9-Ball was sunk, she applauded 
enthusiastically.  Then she turned to face the podium.

A man with white hair who looked to be in his middle fifties stood at 
the podium and motioned for silence.  When he got it, he began his speech.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what you have just witnessed is a
north American game called 9-Ball. As Billiards has not yet fully caught 
on in Japan, we of the Billiards Congress of America or the BCA have made 
it our mission to promote this fine sport throughout Japan and the rest 
of Asia. My name is Eddie Phelson, and I have trained some of the worlds 
finest players from Vincent here," he said motioning to a man who looked 
to be in his mid twenties and boasted an elaborate looking cue. "To Canada's 
Stan Torangeau, to Ronnie O'Sullivan of the United Kingdom. Now, these 
names may not mean very much to you now, but as anyone of you begins to 
play, they will seem as big as your Sailor Moon super heroine."

The audience, including Lita and Ami, went ballistic at the mention of 
Sailor Moon. Then, Eddie continued his speech in a tone which almost made
you want to go out any buy everything there was to buy about Billiards
before you even knew how to play.

"Today, at the opening of this grand building, Phelson Billiards, I
would like to invite you all to come in and play for free, and I hope 
we can spread the popularity of this great game throughout the world."

The crowd applauded and as the doors opened, Ami and Lita were swept 
inside with the movement of the crowd. When they finally met up, they 
looked like they had been trampled in a stampede. 

Before either of the two had a chance to say anything, them found 
themselves in awe at the vastness of the hall. A wall chart boasted 
that the hall had over 20 8-Ball tables (3 1/2 feetby 7 feet), over 40 
9-Ball tables (4 1/2 by 9 feet) and 15 Snooker tables(6 by 12 feet).  
When Ami finally said something, Lita agreed totally.

"Wanna play?"

The two girls walked up to an available table which was nearest the bar, 
table 12. The table was already racked for 9-Ball, and there was a cue 
rack nearby.  Both girls selected a cue at random, and then figured out 
that the little blue cubes on the rack were to rub against the cuetip 
from a sign posted behind the rack. It also explained the rules of 9-Ball.  
After a couple of minutes, they had the game half figured out.

"Do you want to break, or do I?" asked Ami to Lita.

"I'll break," Lita replied, "if that's alright."

Ami just motioned to the table and Lita positioned the cue ball 
perpendicular to the 1-ball at the head of the diamond. Her cue was a 
Dufferin 20oz, and when Lita made the initial shot, she only clipped the 
cue ball and sent it flying into the side pocket. Both girls broke into 
hysterical laughter.

"Lita, you're so talented!  That was the finest break I've ever seen!."

"OK brainiac, you try!" Lita shot back handing Ami the cueball.  Ami 
looked at the diamond, and estimated the ball weight in her hand. Then she 
took into account the distance to the rack, the force of gravity and 
friction, angle of the balls and tightness of the rack. All of this in 2 
seconds, then she positioned the cueball, pulled back, and let 'er rip. 

The cueball thrust into the group of nine like a freight train, sending 
out a sound-wave that could be heard all throughout the hall. Many games
stopped to look at their table, as the 2 rolled into a sidepocket, and 
the 3, 4, 6, and 9 all rolled into the bottom two pockets. All but one 
of the remaining balls rolled down towards Ami.

"Holy shit," Lita said under her breath.  Some people at the tables next to 
them applauded, others looked jealous, and some gave her the fluke look.

That's when Ami felt a tap on the shoulder.  She turned around to see
the man that was referred to by Eddie as Vincent, and he had his elaborate 
cue with him.

"Hi," he said, holding out his hand, "name's Vincent.  I just saw your 
break."

Ami blushed slightly.  "Really," she managed to squeak out, as her teenage 
heart melted at the looks of this total hunk.

"Yeah," Vincent said, "that was phenomenal.  Can you do it again?"

"I'm not sure, I think it was just..."

Thats when Lita stepped in.  "Lita Kino," she said shaking Vincent's hand, 
"nice to meet you, can I talk to my friend for a second." Without waiting 
for a reply, she grabbed Ami by the arm and dragged her out of earshot.

"What are you doing?" Ami asked, as she tried to free Lita's hand from
her arm.

"Ami, that guy is a complete hunk, and you were about to tell him you
got lucky.  Get back there and break those balls again."

"I'm not sure that I can."

Lita was becoming exasperated.  "Look Ami, I know you calculated quite 
deeply to get the balls to split the way they did, so just do it again."

Before Ami had a chance to protest, Lita was dragging her back to the table.

Ami picked up her cue and positioned the que-ball just as Vincent was
finished racking. He motioned for Ami to break.  

She went through her calculations again, and adjusted to maximize the 
ball breakage. Then she placed the neck of the cue between her thumb and 
forefinger, pulled back, and thrust forward. The 1, 7, and 8 went down.  
Once again, people at the surrounding tables began to gave her the fluke 
look.

Vincent applauded.  "Wow," he said as he clapped, "you are amazing.
Here listen, how about you come back here tomorrow, and I'll give you
some pointers."

Ami was taken back, and at the same time felt embarrassed that Lita
was not receiving the same invitation.  She expected Lita to be fuming, 
but instead she was smiling. She mouthed for Ami to accept and she did.

"Sure," she said, as she shook Vincent's hand, "I'll be here."

"Great," Vince replied as he flashed one of his killer smiles, "see you 
then." Then he walked off with his cue towards the Snooker tables. As 
Ami turned to face Lita, Lita said "Well, you've finally found a sport, 
and a complete hunk of a guy, man, it's you're day today."

"It sure is," replied Ami, already fantasizing romantically about Vincent.

* * * *

Ami found herself standing outside Phelson's Billiards with her purse, and 
her backpack.  School had finished for the day and she had come here 
alone, as none of her friends were able to make it.

As she walked in the doors, she immediately noticed that the place 
had no customers at all, and that Vincent was at table 12 again, 
setting up a rack of 15 for someform of exercise. 

As he noticed Ami walk in, he waved.

"Hi Ami, glad you could make it," he said as she approached the table.

"Hi Vince, what are we going to be doing anyway?" Ami replied as she put 
her backpack and purse down on a nearby bar stool.

"Well," Vince said, "follow me."

He began to walk to a door that was past the Snooker tables.  When 
he arrived, he produced a key from his front pocket and unlocked
the door.  Then he opened it for Ami and motioned for her to enter.  
As they entered, the door closed behind them. What was in the room, 
took her by complete surprise.

The room was about the size of a small bookstore, with 1 Snooker table, 
and one 9-Ball table right in the middle. Along the walls were endless 
cues, cases, books, new sets of balls etc. It was a private store.

"Wow," was the only word to escape Ami's lips.

"It's all mine, I own everything in this room; and now I have something
for you."

He pulled a hard black case out from under a counter and handed it to 
Ami. As she opened it, she gasped. It was a beautiful two piece 9-Ball 
cue with a deep blue bottom half, with a black leather grip, and it had 
an engraving on it.  It said "For Ami, from Vincent, may you discover 
you're true talent." Also, in the case, were two blocks of chalk, a BCA 
pocket rulebook, a tip repair kit, and another top half.  Ami had no 
idea what to say, as this was a complete surprise.

"Vincent, I have no idea what to say, this is such a surprise; thank you 
so much, this is such a great present I have no idea what to say..."

"How about `Vince, teach me to play right now`, does that work?" 
Vince replied as Ami shut the case and snapped the latches.
          
"Vincent," she said, "teach me to play right now.  Oh and one question..."
          
"Yes?"
          
"What was the other top half for?  Is it an extra?"

"No," Vince laughed, "it's for Snooker.  Don't worry about that right 
now, well just work on 9-Ball, starting with basics like shooting and 
cue-ball spin."

"Alright," Ami said motioning towards the door, lets get this show on 
the road."

Vincent led Ami back to table 12 where he had set up the 15 balls in 
certain spots around the table.  Some were in the center, some were 
over the pockets and some were on the cushion.
        
As Ami took out her cue and began screwing it together, Vincent began 
the lesson.  "The whole object of any pocket billiard sport, is to sink 
the balls.  This is the only way anyone can win. Now, I've set these 
balls up in a certain way.  If you sink the ball over the bottom left 
pocket, andput the right cue ball spin on it, you can very easily set
up the next shot, and then the next, and the next etc without
prematurely disturbing any of the other balls on the table.  
Now, I don't expect anyone to get this on their first attempt, 
maybe 4 balls at the most.  But as we go along, we'll 
work on cue grip, hand bridge..."
          
Ami made a snoring sound and hung her head.  Vincent laughed
and said "OK, go ahead and try.  Place the cue ball down
here."  He motioned to a spot on the table as he assembled
his elaborate cue.
          
"So what do I do from here?" asked Ami as she did what
Vincent instructed, while Vincent was chalking his cue.
          
Ami saw this and forgot that she had to chalk hers, and did
so immediately.  She saw Vince nod at this, and wondered
why.
          
"Why did you nod at me just now?" Ami asked as she chalked
her cue.
          
"Because," Vince said, "you passed my first test.  If you
had not chalked your cue, I would have discontinued the
lessons right there and then.  It shows you have common
sense and can learn from trial and error."
          
"I should think so," Ami replied, "I do have an IQ of 285."
          
Vince's mouth dropped, and then his eyes sparkled.  "Hold
on, you're Ami as in genius and international Chess
grandmaster Ami Andersen?"
          
Ami nodded.  Vince looked like he was about to praise God.
          
"Holy shit!  I've always wanted to meet you.  I had a brief
Chess career before I started playing 9-Ball.  My FIDE
rating got up to around 1890 before I quit playing."
          
"Wow," Ami replied, "we have to play sometime, my rating is
up to 2960 right now."
          
"Are you going to hook it up with Kasparov anytime soon
again?"
          
"No, Garry and I agreed not to play competitively again
after Andersen/Kasparov 4.  It was becoming too much.  I'm
going to challenge for the world championship against Josh
Waitzkin in a couple of years.
          
"I looking forward to it.  Maybe you can take the world
9-Ball championship as well," Vince said as he motioned for
Ami to position herself at the foot of the table.
          
"Alright, which ball do I shoot first?" Ami asked as she
bridged her hand on the table.
          
"You tell me," Vince replied.

Ami studied the table carefully.  I looked to her that she
should shoot the eleven, as it was positioned against one of
the inside banks of the corner pocket.  But then what after
that.  The only possible shot was the six all the way back
to her current left pocket, and it was a 50/50 shot.  No,
the eleven wasn't good, so she looked again.  If she took
the five down on the right side pockets, and put some left
side spin on, she could get position on the fourteen, and
then the eleven.  From the eleven, she could take the two,
because the sinking of the fourteen had unmasked it.  After
that, the possibilities were to large to calculate.  So,
after 3 seconds of calculation, she positioned the cueball
for optimum position on the five.  Then she checked her
line, made the shot in her mind, calculated once again very
quickly, and fired.  The result was anything but desirable,
as the cueball cut the five too hard, bounced off of the
inside bank of the pocket, and jumped off the table and onto
the floor.


"Aw shit," Ami cursed as she walked over to pick up the ball.  Her short 
skirt came up as she bent over and Vincent got an excellent view of her 
panties.  

As Ami came back up and whipped her hair back, she smiled at Vince.
        
"You like what you saw?"
          
"Oh yes, who wouldn't?" Vince replied as he put his cue on the table 
and moved closer to Ami.  Ami just kept smiling, as she knew what 
was about to happen, or hoped what was about to happen.
          
"So," Ami said, looking Vincent in the eyes, "Do we just drop right 
down on the floor and go for it?"
          
"Actually, Vince smiled back, "I had this table in mind." he said 
tapping on the billiard table.
          
"I guess we'll get to see how strong slate really is," Ami said as 
Vincent drew her into a French kiss and let himself slowly fall back 
on the table (remembering to knock the balls to the side first) with 
Ami on top...

* * * *
           
Mina and Serena were driving back to Serena's apartment when they felt 
the "love" shockwave that all the Sailors felt when someone got lucky. 
 
Serena was immediately on the cell phone.  First she called, Reeny, to 
see if her and Hotaru were getting it on.
          
"Sorry Mom," Reeny said, "not quite yet."
          
Next she called Lita, but her and Raye were practicing some
martial arts and were definitely not having sex right then, and 
why would they, they were two of the three "straight" minority in 
the Sailor Senshi at the moment.
          
Serena next thought of calling Haruka and Michiru, but they weren't 
exactly in this dimension at the moment. She thought she must be 
becoming ill, and since Ami was training to become a doctor, she 
called Ami's cell phone to ask if she knew what was wrong.

As she answered, she must of dropped the phone, and all she
heard were lusty sexual cries, and the names "Vincent" and
"Ami" being said over and over, as well as some phrases like 
"harder, fuck me harder", and "oh, I love you, that feels so good."  
Serena was beside herself.  She began soaking her panties with love 
juices right there and immediately hung up, but it was too late.  Mina 
had smelled it, and began to drive like a mad-woman to get home 
so that she and Serena could make love.


"Mina, slow down," Serena screamed as Mina wove the car in and out 
of traffic, "it's not like we'll never fuck again or something."

"Serena, I want you now!  If Ami's getting some then damn it, so 
should I!"
          
* * * *
          
Ami cried out in lusty pleasure as Vincent probed her
womanhood with his highly skilled tongue.  She let her head
snap back and groaned as she felt herself coming close to
orgasm.
          
"It's funny," Ami said between lusty gasps of air, "that I
came here for a pool lesson, and now I'm being fucked on a
pool table.  Aren't we lucky we're the only one's in here."
          
"You are getting a pool lesson.  You playing a game that
involves pushing balls into a hole using a long hard
straight thing," Vince replied, then went back to sucking
and licking Ami's pussy.
          
"Well," Ami said, "it's a good thing I snapped the cueball
off of the table like I did.  If I didn't, then we might of
had to wait a whole ten minutes before we started fucking.
I don't know why we're doing this, we really don't know each
other at all."
          
"Who cares," Vince replied as he positioned himself above
Ami's exposed pussy, "it makes it all the more fun."
          
With that, he plunged himself inside her, and both cried out
in pleasure as Ami's vaginal muscles contracted around
Vince's 11 inch penis.  Ami was in heaven, and began to
grunt as Vincent began sliding in an out of her ever so
slowly, and then began to quicken his pace.
          
"You know," Vince grunted as he thrust himself in and out of
Ami, who was barley able to listen to him, "this is going to
make us actually doing any billiards practice very
difficult.  Any ideas?"
          
Ami couldn't answer him, as she felt herself climax and cum
as Vincent exploded his load of semen inside of her.  She
felt her cum dribble down her legs, and onto the table.
Then she collapsed, and Vincent came crashing down beside
her.
          
"I guess the slate was strong enough," Vince laughed, tired
but happy.
          
"I still wish I knew why nobody else has come in here, as
just yesterday, this place was packed," Ami replied as she
began to gather herself together.
          
"Ami, look around, I'm sure you'll figure it out," Vince
said, motioning to the front of the hall.
          
Ami studied it carefully, and noticed that the thick wooden
shutters had been pulled closed over all of the front
windows.  Then she noticed the sign.  The side facing her
said "Yes, we are open!" which means the other side said
"Closed".
          
"Well fuck me," Ami said.
          
"Can't," Vince replied, as he zipped up his pants, "I'm way
too tired and out of cum.  Besides, I have to open in an
hour or Eddie will wonder why the hell he hasn't made any
money; and the felt on this table needs replacing.  That
will take me an hour anyway."
          
Ami looked at the cloth.  I was drenched in cum, both her's
and Vincent's, blood, and sweat.  "Can I help at all?" Ami
asked as she disassembled her cue, which she luckily put
down on the table next to the one she and Vincent had sex
on.
          
"No," Vince said, "I don't think you can.  Come back
tomorrow and we'll actually get some work done, OK?"
          
"Alright," Ami sighed as she picked up her cue case and
turned to leave.
          
"Oh, and Ami," Vince smiled as got a tool kit out from under
the front counter.

"Yes?"
          
"I really loved what just happened.  I hope we didn't spoil
a friendship."
          
"Me too, Vince.  See you later."
          
With that, Ami walked out of Phelson's Billiards and towards
the parking lot to drive home to her apartment.
          
* * * *
          
Serena moaned as she felt Mina penetrate her aching pussy
with her highly skilled and practiced tongue.  As Mina began
to lick and gently bite Serena's love button, Serena
screamed in sheer ecstasy.
          
"Oh Mina, I love you so much, ooh, do it more, and harder,
please!" pleaded Serena as she began to force her shaved
pussy into Mina's face.
          
Both girls had started kissing in the elevator and as soon
as the door to their apartment shut, they were out of their
clothes and making "sweet love."  Serena had made Mina cum
twice now, using everything from a dildo to electrical
kitchen utensils, to a shampoo bottle.  Now it was Serena's
turn to be pleasured, and being pleasured she was.  Mina had
been aware of her sexual skills since she was 14, and now at
18, she had perfected them to the point where one hour of
sex with her was worth a lot of money, and I mean, A LOT OF
MONEY!!!
          
Serena reached climax, and went into a violent spasm as she
cummed all over Mina's beautiful young face.  When Serena
was finished, and Mina was finished drinking it, they both
collapsed in a sweaty, cummy, naked heap.  Serena then
embraced Mina and began to lick her face clean.
          
"I love you Serena," Mina whispered as she closed her eyes
and let the romanticism of being with her love set in.
          
"I know," Serena replied as she wrapped her arms around Mina
and they fell asleep on the floor.
          
* * * *
          
Lita was cooking dinner for her and Ken when the phone rang,
causing her to startle and drop a knife on the floor.  It
was Ami on the other end.
          
"Hi Lita," Ami chimed, "guess what happened."
          
"You and Vince are going out tomorrow night?" Lita replied
excitedly.

"No," Ami said with a tone of teasing in her voice, "we had
sex."
          
Lita was in shock, she had to force herself to stop
trembling and then she had to sit down.  Then when Ami
repeatedly yelled "Hello, hello?" into the phone, she forced
herself to speak.
          
"Are you nuts?" Lita asked as she got a glass of water.

"In what way?" Ami replied.
          
"Well, you don't even know him, he could have AIDS for all
you know, and where did you do it, in his car?"
          
"On a pool table."
          
Lita giggled slightly, as it seemed sort of funny that Ami
was having a pool lesson one minute, and then getting
shagged the next, on a pool table!!!  That's when Ken walked
in.
          
"Hey Lita, you seen a long hard black case lying around
anywhere?"
          
"I saw one in my room the other day, it's at the back of the
top shelf in the closet.  Why?"
          
"My cue is in there, I thought I'd go check out that new
pool hall."
          
It took a couple of seconds for that to sink in, but when it
did, Lita was running after him, but to no avail.  Ken was
already cruising down the road in his Aston Martin.  Lita
ran back into the kitchen and on the phone.
          
"Ami," Lita yelled as she took off her apron, "Ken is on his
way to the pool hall with his cue!  I didn't even know he
had one.  Anyway, I'll be round to pick you up in ten
minutes and well go there as well.  He'll probably start
betting or something.  God I hope he's good...
          
* * * *
          
Vincent saw a man in his mid twenties walk in like he was
god-almighty with a hard cue case.  "Easy money," Vince
thought as he approached the man.
          
"Hi there," Vince said as he held out his hand, "welcome to
Phelson's billiards.  What can I do for you today?"
          
Business had picked up dramatically in the hour the billiard
hall had been open, and now, the place was packed again.  Ken 
shook Vince's hand, "Names Ken, and I'm looking for some 
action.  I bought this cue a few years back when I was in Los    
Angeles, but then I only used it a few times."
          
"What kind of cue is it?"
          
"Balabooshka 9-Ball edition, series two."
          
"Really," Vince smiled, "mine's a Balabooshka series 1.
Anyway, since their both nine ball cues, what say you and
me hook it up over a few games."
          
"Sure," Ken replied as he and Vince moved to the nearest
available table.
          
* * * *
          
Lita drove like a mad woman as she tried to get to the hall
before her boyfriend's masculinity and gullibility decided
to kick in and he lost some money, as money was something
that they could not afford to lose right now.  When she had
picked up Ami, she had noted that Ami was also carrying a
cue case.
          
"Present from Vincent," was all Ami said as she got in the
car.  That was a mere 30 seconds ago, yet in that time, Lita
in her little Dodge Colt had been screaming through traffic.
Learning to drive a stick shift had definitely paid off.  As
they approached the hall, Lita finally began to slow down.
          
"OK Ami," Lita said as she stopped outside the door to the
hall, "get in there and stop Ken from losing anymore money,
and I'll find a place to park.  I'll see you in there in a
minute."
          
Ami just grabbed her cue case and ran in.  As Lita drove off
to park, she opened the door and ran in.  What she saw
shocked her.  There was a crowd around the table where she
could see Vince and Ken playing.  Eddie Phelson was there as
well.  But the thing that shocked her was that Ken was
beaming and Vincent was looking tired and depressed.
          
As Ami approached the table, Ken waved and smiled.  Vincent
only nodded to her.  That's when Ami noticed the thick wad
of bills in Ken's pocket.
          
"Hey Ken," Ami said, "how much money have you made?"
          
"Around three thousand dollars," Ken said as she sunk the
nine.  The crowd cheered and Vince threw his money on the
table.
          
"I quit!" Vince yelled as he walked off to his back room
looking dejected.

Ken only looked shocked, and then smiled.  He then collected
the money and turned to Ami.
          
"Want to play some?" he asked as he racked for 9-ball.
          
"What was that all about?" Ami asked, motioning to Vincent
who was storming off into his "little" back room.
          
Ken smiled again.  "Guess he didn't expect me to be so
good."
          
"Nor did I," Ami exclaimed, "how did you learn to play so
well?"
          
"Well," Ken replied, still radiating from his BIG wins,
"when I was in LA, I ran into a lady pool player by the name
of Michelle Yo, and we did end up sleeping together, don't
tell Lita, and she gave me some pool lessons."
          
"Ken," Ami said in an impatient tone, "and..."
          
"OK, fine, I won a couple of 9-ball tournaments.  Big bloody
 deal!"
          
"I'll be back here in a few minutes," Ami said, then she
noticed Lita storm into the hall, and added "explain your
wins to Lita, she was expecting you to lose money."
          
Ami then took off for Vincent's "office".
          
* * * *
          
Eddie Phelson was the greatest hustler in the world.  He was
also Vincent's mentor, and now, was in disgrace.  He was
ready to explode at Vincent for being so stupid as to think
that every single player he bets with doesn't have talent.
          
"What the hell were you thinking Vince?" Eddie spat half
menacingly to Vince, who was slouching in a chair pouring a
glass of scotch.
          
"I don't know?"
          
"What the hell do you mean you don't know.  I'll tell you
what you don't know.  You have no idea when to quit do you.
When too much is too much.  Even when your hustling and
winning, you don't know how far is too far.  Remember when I
made my comeback.  You even rigged our match for money.  I
taught you too well.  Some things are just not supposed to
be fucked with, and you do.  Hell, I have Minnesota Fats
coming in here in a week for a straight pool game against you,
and now your fucked in the head.  Excel-fucking-lent."
          
Eddie then turned and stormed out of the office, and nodded
curtly to Ami as she walked in.  Vince only saw her and
moved his eyes else where.  Ami was upset.
          
"You want to talk?" she asked.
          
"No."
          
"Is it true, what Eddie said, are you really a hustler?"
          
"Yes."
          
"So you only play pool for money, not for the sport, or the
people, just the money."

"Isn't everyone in something just for the money!" Vince
yelled, "I mean, when you break it down to it's lowest
level, isn't everything about the money?"
          
"No, and that's why Ken wiped the floor with you.  He was
there to have good time, and you were there to try to make
some money off of him.  One thing about the Japanese that is
different from Americans is that money isn't always the
first thing on our minds.  I'm learning this game because
you said I have talent, and because you offered to teach me.
Not to make money, or to be a hustler, or to make love with
you."
          
"Then get out."
          
"You don't mean that Vincent."
          
"You're right, I don't.  I love you, and right now you're
treading on thin ice, and I don't want to hurt you, so
please, get out."
          
Ami left.
          
* * * *
          
When Ami came out of Vincent's office, she noticed that
another crowd had gathered around Ken's table.  As she
approached, she noticed Ken spilling a few hundred dollar
bills on the table.  The man that was picking them up was
Eddie Phelson.
          
"You want to go again son?" he asked as he folded the money
and put it in one of his pockets.
          
"Sure thing, I guess it's your break," Ken replied.
          
"I guess it is," Eddie replied as he positioned the cue ball
on the "line" at a slight angle to the face of the 1 ball.
Then he set his bridge, which was open hand like Ami's, and
thrust the cue forward.

The cue-ball thundered into the diamond like a wild tornado
through Texas.  He sunk the 1,3,4,5,7 and 8.  The audience
applauded.  Lita, who had come into the hall while Ami was
with Vincent, was looking depressed.  The 2 ball was
positioned beside the 9-ball on the right side pocket.
Eddie easily potted it, and collected his money.
          
 "I guess I'm real lucky tonight," Eddie lied as he took
another 300 dollars from Ken.
          
"Ken," Lita chimed in, "let's leave now while you're still 
ahead.  Two thousand, four hundred will come in real handy
won't it."
          
Ken looked perplexed for a moment, then reluctantly agreed
with Lita.
          
"Eddie," he said unscrewing his cue, "I'm finished."
          
"You going to let your bitch make all of your decisions?"
          
"What did you call her."
          
"You heard me."
          
"Fine I'll play you."
          
"No you won't," Ami cut in, "I will."
          
"Ami," Ken said, "stay out of this."
          
"He's hurting Vince, and I'll make him pay for that."
          
"It's not your fight."
          
"Yes it is."
          
Ken surrendered, and motioned Ami to the table.  While Ken
and Ami had their small duel, Eddie Phelson had been busy
racking the table for 9-ball.  He looked like a tiger ready
to strike and he said "It's your break Ms. Andersen."
          
Ami put her cue together, and put the case down on the next
table.  She then chalked it, positioned the cue ball on the
table and fired.  The nine sank in the bottom left corner,
along with an excellent scatter of the other balls.
          
"Rack 'em," she said with a smile.  "You're going down
Eddie, and I'm taking you down."
          
"We'll see Ms. Andersen, you fluky bitch.  Let's play some
 pool."
          
* End of Part One *