Minnesota Fats: "Do you like to gamble, Eddie? Gamble money on pool games?"…read more
_ _ _
( )----------( )-----------( )
| O |
| The Hustler | Paul Neuman - Fast Eddie
| | George C Scott - Bert
| O | Jackie Gleason - M. Fats
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(movie quotes are lead-ins to review topics; and, there are 51 unique pool game double-meanings in this and previous review portions)
- I took a chance eating here, and it paid off. It's not a big draw. The parking lot was an empty, with no speed bumps to do a jump massé shot over. I pulled between chalk marks into a spot. A friend follows.
Fast Eddie: "I got a hunch, fat man. I got a hunch it's me from here on in. One ball, corner pocket. I mean, that ever happen to you? You know, all of a sudden you feel like you can't miss? 'Cause I dreamed about this game, fat man. I dreamed about this game every night on the road. Five ball. You know, this is my table, man. I own it."
- Set-up: Feelin' good! No waiting for a free pool table to play on during lunch! (at night, they tell me, it's crowded) The bar has 3 pool tables (good shape), about 15 small dining tables, and a dance floor. TVs abound on the walls showing sports (soccer), and a jukebox occasionally wakes up and plays a good, but loud, Mexican song, even though the background music is playing something else. Chairs at the scratched table have a thin cushion. It's dark.
Eddie: (with broken thumbs) "In that cheap, crummy pool room... Why'd I do it? I coulda beat that guy cold. He never woulda known. I just had to show 'em. Just had to show those creeps and those pukes what the game is like when it's great, when it's REALLY great. Like, anything can be great. Brick laying can be great. "
- Menu ( 2 pages): Great selection, not too many. An assortment of American, Mexican and even Chinese food (no shark). Even though it's a Latino neighborhood place, they put English on the menu.
Big John: "Take your boy and go home. There's no way you can beat him. Nobody's beat Fats in fifteen years. He's the best in the country."
- Most Yelpers would have left empty place quickly.
I felt under the eight ball trying to decide from menu. Give me a break! Finally, I chose the $5 daily special, Caesar Salad and a drink. Trying to avoid a stroke.
We play pool for about ten minutes until our food arrives. What a deal.
Eddie: "He is great! Geez, that old Fat Man. Look at the way he moves, like a dancer...And those fingers, them chubby fingers. And that stroke, it's like he's uh, like he's playin' a violin or somethin'."
- My huge salad had stripes and solids (i.e. grated parmesan and sliced chicken).
Lettuce was very fresh and green. Chicken was slightly grilled (rail marks), tender and moist.
Friend's burger looked good.
We don't lag to see who would take first bite.
He puts the burger ball in hand and it caroms off his bridge.
Moving to the music, we enjoy the food.
Eddie: "Well, you don't leave much when you miss. Do you fat man?"
- We ran the table of food.
Eddie: "The pool game is not over until Minnesota Fats says it's over. Is it over, Fats?"
- We head to the pool table again to play until time to return to work.
Bert: "You ..owe ..me ..MONEY!"
- Service: Average. On cue, for the tip, I arrange 3 quarters, kissing in a triangle, and another like a ball.
Bert: "Eddie, is it alright if I get personal?"
Eddie: "Whaddaya been so far?"
Bert: "Eddie, you're a born loser."
Eddie: "What's that supposed to mean?"
Bert: "First time in ten years I ever saw Minnesota Fats hooked... really hooked. But you let him off."
Eddie: "I told you I got drunk."
Bert: "Sure you got drunk. You have the best excuse in the world for losing; no trouble losing when you got a good excuse. Winning... that can be heavy on your back, too, like a monkey. You'll drop that load too when you got an excuse. All you gotta do is learn to feel sorry for yourself. One of the best indoor sports, feeling sorry for yourself. A sport enjoyed by all, especially the born losers."
Eddie: "Thanks for the drink."
- They are located on a low-traffic street and other restaurants at that location have failed.
To stay open at lunch, they need more customers, or else a bank shot.
Eddie: "That's a pretty big slice. Who do you think you are, General Motors?"
Bert: "I'm putting up the money. I'm putting up the time. For that, I get 75% on my money if you win."
- Here is how I call it. $5 for a fresh large salad and drink is a good deal, especially with free pool table access. I will backspin to here.
Fast Eddie: "Fats, you can't run out on me!"
Minnesota Fats: "Watch me."
- Rack 'em!
