Original subtitles

For you folks that came in

late, this is

a charity pool exhibition

for the benefit of

the children's home.

Now we're gonna pass this

collection jar around again,

especially for you folks

who had fish hooks in your

pocket the last time.

[tires screeching]

Family Pool Room?

[chuckling]

What am I gonna play for,

soap coupons?

You can clear 4-500 in there.

Yeah.

Yeah, if you don't come on

too strong with the shortstops.

Here's 250... to flash.

Anybody wanna poke a few?

Sure, in a few minutes.

Who's that?

Will Addington.

Who?

Will Addington.

The Baron.

The Baron!

What a thrill.

[cheers and applause]

Folks, big deal, all you

gotta do is set 'em up.

That's dominos, not pool.

Why don't you show us

some of your trick shots, son?

A little later.

Well, I don't play dominos.

But... I'd like to see him

make some of those shots

in a game with me.

A money game.

Go ahead and play him, Will.

Go earn him some manners.

This is a charity, Will.

It's a worthy cause.

Yeah, play the big mouth.

And then pop that sucker all

the way down to his hub caps.

[crowd laughing]

Okay.

$250.

I didn't think those hands

came with those work clothes.

First one to eight games.

Now, for those of you

unfamiliar, the aim of

nine-ball is to shoot in

numerical order

and the one that sinks

the nine ball wins the game.

However, if along the way,

you can find a combination

using the object ball

to pocket the nine ball,

you've got yourself

an early game.

Combination,

nine in the corner.

What's your name, kid?

Billy Joe.

You got a handle?

Well, folks south of here

call me the Cajun Kid.

And you just came in for

a friendly game

in a family pool parlor, right?

Well, isn't this friendly?

[balls clanking]

You got a fair stroke, kid.

With a little homework

on patterns...

and a little more pool sense...

you might've stayed in this

game a little while longer.

♪♪

[balls clanking]

[balls clanking]

Oh yeah.

[balls clanking]

[crowd applauding]

You couldn't play

the shortstops, huh?

I haven't shot

for a half-hour.

You're not gonna play

my money.

[balls clanking]

Not against him.

[crowd applauding]

How much do you think

that fancy stick's worth?

More than you got, kid.

I'll see you in the car.

That's game number eight

and match to Will Addington.

My... pockets

aren't empty yet, Baron.

Let's try some eight-ball.

Ring against your cue stick.

Where'd you get this?

Turned up in a bowl of gumbo.

♪♪

Give that to the children.

♪ Now Billy Joe was busted

♪ But he hadn't felt the sting

♪ And from the far end

♪ Of the table

♪ He threw his mother's

♪ Wedding ring

♪ And he said

♪ You've won my money

♪ But it ain't

♪ Gonna do the trick

♪ I'll bet this ring

♪ On one more game

♪ Against your fancy stick

♪ Well I wish I had a known ya

♪ When you were

♪ A little younger

♪ 'Round me you might have

♪ Learned a thing or two

♪ If I had known ya longer

♪ You might be

♪ A little stronger

♪ Maybe you'd shoot

♪ Straighter than you do

♪ Maybe

♪ You'd shoot straighter

♪ Than you do ♪

What'll you have, Will?

[chuckling]

You act like I was

just in here yesterday.

Well, our Denver omelet's

quite popular.

Just coffee.

Okay.

Is this an accident

or is this a visit?

Harley was through here

a few months ago, said you

were back from Oregon.

I've been back, eight years.

This place must

agree with you.

Yeah, I get along

real good with the owner.

Yeah?

Yeah.

Me.

How about that.

Harley said you looked good.

He should have said

you looked great.

You know, I hardly

recognized you, Will...

... without a hangover.

I just saw a wedding ring

I gave you 21 years ago

on a mouthy kid

with a six-pack IQ.

Rolled it down a pool table.

Wanted me to play him for it.

If his name is

Billy Joe Stanley, you should

have played him, Will.

That boy's your son.

Aw, what are you

talking about?

That punk?

Wonder what he'd

have called you?

We got to talk, Dee.

I'd say we've about

covered it.

When, 21 years ago?

I'm busy, Will!

[crickets chirping]

Well, let's see,

18 years old...

born June the 19th,

Memphis, Tennessee,

right here, six months to

the day after you dusted out.

He's had the chicken pox,

the mumps, a broken jaw.

You could have told me, Dee,

I wasn't that far away.

Well, I was.

Do you know that you

broke this eardrum

with that last slap you gave me?

Left me with a continual

ringing in this ear

for two years to remind me

of all the benders

and the wrecked cars

and the calls from the deputies.

And did you know when

Frank came along

that ringing just stopped.

I got married again.

Did Billy Joe get along

all right with his step-father?

Oh yeah.

It was Oregon he didn't like.

Oregon's all right, it's just

the drizzling started and...

I don't know.

He was a tough kid to raise.

Even tougher to know.

Wonder why he never

looked me up?

'Cause you were dead, Will.

Blown all to heck

in a Louisiana oil rig

in an explosion.

That's what I told him.

That's why he calls himself

the Cajun Kid.

That takes care of Dad.

I just didn't

talk about you, Will.

I just never got around to

telling him that we had

any kind of a wedding,

just about the ring.

♪♪

[crickets chirping]

Dee Dee, I turned

a corner a while back,

started going to church.

And it didn't get struck

by lightning?

Not yet.

You know, you do look

healthier, Will.

Where's your husband?

Frank was killed

out in Oregon,

power line went down in a storm.

Sorry.

You know, he wasn't

a bad father.

Hey, Will...

if you see our boy,

would you tell him I miss him?

♪♪

Hey, you've seen

a pool player here that calls

himself the Cajun Kid?

Do you mind telling me where,

in your misspent youth,

you learned how to

play pool like that?

I think it was at

my mother's knee.

Well, where else?

She, uh...

[whistling]

Shortstop with a billiard room.

Hold on there, ace.

Arnie and I just took a vote.

We decided you ain't nothing

but a scum-of-the-earth hustler.

Whoa, come on, cowboy.

I also didn't tell you

how good he is--

What did I tell these guys

before we started playing?

You said they'd have to have

tapioca between their ears

before they'd bet you money.

You made me and Jim

think you was lucky drunk

and then you snuck us up to

$50 a game.

I got luckier,

so what do you want?

That depends on how you

feel about your teeth?

[whistling]

What do ya think, Jack?

We probably ought to

give them their money back?

Well, I think we oughta

negotiate.

[groaning]

Come on, kid!

Yeah, run!

♪♪

♪♪

[laughing]

[birds chirping]

[train whistle blowing]

♪♪

Yeah.

Baron.

Am I privileged?

You got a few minutes?

Yeah, yeah, I guess so.

Uh, Beamer said

you used to hustle,

right before you started

playing tournaments.

That's true.

Why do you ask?

I don't know.

Everybody treats you

like a royal honcho...

a gentleman pool player.

You're out there shucking

the sharecroppers just like

the rest of us.

Well, something I'm not

too proud of.

I think the best thing

I could say is it's behind me.

He also said that you were

a national nine-ball champ

for about a year before

you gave up pool completely.

Hey, can we take a walk,

get some coffee?

Coffee shop's back that way.

We'll get there.

What was it like,

being a champ, holding a title?

Felt pretty good,

for about ten minutes

until I realized I had to

defend it against guys like me.

[bell tolling]

I do have something I wanted

to talk to you about.

It may come

as a blinding revelation.

Okay, blind me.

Your name is Addington.

William Joseph Addington.

Oh, wait a minute,

my dad was blown--

Your mother and I were

married 21 years ago.

The date's on the back.

I'm your father.

♪♪

[chuckling]

All this time I thought

I was a genuine bastard.

Where the hell were you?

I didn't know

you were born, son.

Your mother never told me.

She must have

really hated you.

What'd you do to her anyway?

I was a hardcore hustler--

booze, dope, women...

the whole nine yards.

Go get that coffee?

[keys jangling]

So what do you want from me?

Just a little of your time.

There's a few things

we could catch up on.

Oh, you're all ready to

play daddy, huh?

No, it's a little

late for that.

We're the same bloodline.

Some of it's working for you,

some working against you,

and that I can help with.

Like how?

With a little coaching,

I think you could be a better

pool player than I ever was.

Sounds kind of strange,

doesn't it, me talking to

you like a father?

You being told you're

the son of the Baron.

Well, I tell you what...

Mr. Father, I won't

tell anybody if you don't.

[whistle blowing]

Couple of old shooters like

us could really do something

with this place.

Now, what are we gonna do

with a dilapidated

old pool hall?

Restore it, maybe even

promote our own tournaments.

Make it kind of a roost

for other name players.

♪ And I know I'm never

♪ Gonna find another one

♪ To compare ♪

Harley, did you ever get

seriously mad at your father,

mad enough to hate him?

Yep.

I developed a real serious hate

for him when I was

12 years old.

What brought it on?

He died on me.

I really hated him for that.

I figured if he loved me

as much as I loved him,

he'd have been more careful

with his driving.

But you got over it, right?

Mostly.

At least he taught me

how to shoot pool.

[balls clanking]

So the oil barons

and cocaine kings play nothing

but four-handed pool.

Why, up in Detroit,

gun-and-girl teams play for

as much as 50K.

You hear what I'm saying, boy?

That's $50,000.

You're saying that my game

is so far off I have to

team up with some chick.

No, I'm saying that you

need a change of pace, kid.

Until you know

what you owe your father.

Yeah, you...

He got to you,

that's your trouble.

I don't owe him zip.

And I never knew a girl

who could run

three balls either.

Well, you're about

to see one.

♪ Never took nothing

♪ That belonged to me

♪ Everything's paid for

♪ Nothing's free

♪ If I give my heart

♪ Will you promise...

Now that one's free.

Well, what'll the next one

cost me?

Nothing.

As long as you got

health insurance.

♪ Money can't

♪ Replace it

♪ No memory can

♪ Erase it

♪ And I know I'm never

♪ Gonna find another one

♪ To compare

What'll it be, gents?

♪ I think I lost it

♪ Let me know if you

♪ Come across it

♪ Let me know if

♪ I let it fall along

♪ A back road somewhere

Not bad.

♪ Money can't replace it

♪ No memory can erase it

♪ And I know I'm never

♪ Gonna find another one

♪ To compare

♪ Money can't replace it

♪ No memory can erase it...

Let me have a beer.

On my bill.

Miss, your name wouldn't be

Mary Beth Phillips, would it?

Always was.

Well, I'm Jack Beamer.

"Streamer."

Yeah, you're

absolutely right.

And-- and this is

Billy Joe Stanley.

The Cajun Kid.

[door creaking]

Two private tables back there

for money games, and they

got six tables out here

for tournaments.

And...

there's just no point in

talking to you today, is there?

See, my problem with doubles

is usually my partner.

Oh, come on, if anything, I'd

wind up carrying you, cupcake.

All I'm saying is that

whenever we got into

heavy traffic, my teammate was

usually eating choke berries.

I mean, I don't know what

you'd stand up like

under a hot lamp.

Hey, Will, you still thinking

about buying my place?

Harley is, I'm not.

Well...

who is that?

My father.

I was just leaving.

Hold on.

I mean, I want to say something.

I'd say you about covered it.

No.

What I wanna say is

we never played eight-ball.

Some other time, kid.

Yeah, yeah, whenever.

What are the stakes?

100.

Make that a glass of

grapefruit juice.

Yeah, I think

I can handle that.

I guess you do look a little

like me, here and there.

Who looks like who?

Sure didn't look like you

at that pool table.

You'd be surprised how much

you look like me at that table.

Same plusses, same minuses.

What kind of minuses?

Bridge, mostly mechanics.

Seen your mom lately?

Mm...

Been a few months.

I hadn't had much time since

I've been travelling

with Beamer, playing mostly

in the boonies.

You comfortable with that

kind of life?

Well, I don't wanna

do it forever.

Got a girlfriend?

Nope.

And I don't get too lonesome

if that's what you mean.

Look, what's the matter

with my bridge?

It's too short.

I'll help you with that.

If you're interested in trying

a few tournaments.

No thanks.

I'm doing fine just like I am.

Hustling's stealing, Billy,

that's all you can

make out of it.

And you're still carrying

the family name.

I am not using

your damn name;

I'm making one of my own.

Where, in backwater bars?

Playing all the shortstops?

Excuse me, I didn't know

I stepped into a church.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Start over, huh?

Sorry.

Why'd you take me on today?

[cash register dinging]

I haven't been worth much

since I blew off at you.

I haven't either.

We ought to make a serious

attempt to get to

know each other.

Couldn't hurt, the way

I've been playing pool.

Well, after a few matches

we'll know if you're

cost-effective, and then

we can bump up the incentive.

35% ain't much incentive

when I've been keeping

the whole roll.

Well, uh, what happens

when you lose, huh?

I mean, you're playing with

my funds, I do the pleading.

Do I get to drive that?

Well, if you can keep it

between the ditches.

Hey, BJ, we got ourselves

a new business associate.

Oh, you're really gonna keep

little Miss Mary Contrary, huh?

Well, we'll get

a new wardrobe,

fix her hairdo--

Oh, that's-- that's

a good handle, you know?

"Mary, Mary Quite Contrary."

I like it.

Get stuffed.

You know, you can keep her

in pigtails and have her

ride into a pool hall

on a tricycle,

maybe suckin' her thumb.

You wanna shoot some pool,

partner, before you got

too many words to eat?

We're not partners yet.

I'm gonna have a tryout at

a tournament in Oak Ridge.

The Baron's pickin' up expenses.

Well, I think that's

a dynamite idea.

Yeah, that's the best thing

you could be right now.

Yeah, you could use

a little coaching.

Yeah, I thought

you'd be ticked.

Hey, table's on a plumb,

we'll level it, right?

Right.

And maybe see you

in Oak Ridge, huh?

Come on, little girl,

climb right in here.

[car door closing]

[engine revving]

See ya.

[tires screeching]

♪♪

[thundering]

This a short cut

to Oak Ridge?

No, this is where we

get in shape.

What kind of shape?

Tournament's gonna be

double elimination

from 9:00 in the morning

'til 3:00 the next morning.

[Billy Joe laughing]

You gonna try to get me

ready in a day-and-a-half?

Intensive training.

♪♪

Ooh.

How often do you pay

to get mugged?

Just before every tournament.

Well, you should have taken

better care of yourself,

you might have lasted longer.

[chuckling]

How come you never got

married again?

I was a long time

getting over your mom.

[thundering]

If you liked her so much,

how come you walked out on us?

You can handle it.

Oh, hot!

How long we have to

put up with this?

'Til we're totally

tensed off.

'Til we shed all earthly woes.

Shedding them fast, boss.

You look like you're thinking

about entering this

tournament, too.

I am.

Trying to get back in the zone.

The zone?

The zone.

The zone's a combination

of what experience

tells you to do, what your

ego wants to do

and what your nerve

will let you do.

This has got to help.

♪♪

Mmm, you set quite

a pace, Baron.

Let me know if it

gets too rigorous.

Will?

You old pocket splitter,

what are you doin'?

Sam Crockett.

How's your stroke?

[chuckling]

Like a plumber's, friend.

When it works, it's beautiful.

Sam, this is my boy,

Billy Joe.

He's headed for

the Oak Ridge tournament.

Well, if you can play half as

good as your old man,

you got a beeline route

to fame and fortune.

You know, he once almost

owned this place.

Yep, had the deed hanging

right over the pool table.

You're kidding.

No, sirree.

The old shark here,

he let me off the hook.

I got out losing 25,000.

And mighty glad of it, too.

Will, everything at the table,

it's on the house.

Oh no, Sam, you don't--

Will, everything.

Thanks, Sam.

That true?

You let up on him?

This hotel's been in his

family for

three generations, son.

And that was reason to lose?

I really wanted this place.

But some stakes are just

too precious

to put on a lampshade.

Maybe you don't know how to

close out the key matches,

Baron.

No killer instinct.

Maybe.

But I sure get one

when you talk sometimes.

♪♪

Hey, Will!

By golly, it's gotta be a year.

How you been?

Oh, taking it easy, Doc.

How you been?

Oh, still pushing the rocks.

Great to have you back.

Doc the Pockett?

Yeah.

He's your first match.

Remember to keep your bridge

short like I showed you.

[balls clanking]

Yeah.

Foul on Mr. Stanley.

Ball in hand.

You know, I almost bet on

that kid 'cause

he's the Baron's son.

He sure gave away the match

on that last shot.

That a way, Josh.

[crowd applauding]

Hey, Mary Contrary.

Well, well...

If it ain't Bayou Billy.

How's your acne?

What kind of hustle are

you working in that getup?

Nothin' your game

could handle.

Ooh.

Well, we'll have to play

a match one of these days.

What for?

You name it?

[crowd applauding]

Like I said, I still

don't think you're ready.

A great tournament

for side bets.

Hello, BJ.

You've been learning anything?

I played pool 20 hours a day

without dropping my cue.

Yeah.

Yeah, our little hot rod here

just nipped a couple of guys

for 1,800.

That's some big stakes.

A couple of noodles.

You could've beat them.

Well...

If you know anybody who's

dropping out of the tournament,

would you let them know

that I'm looking for a partner

on a freeze-out match?

What's the guarantee?

$15,000...

split three ways.

Well, I got a match.

Uh-huh.

[chuckling]

Will Addington just ran

three racks.

It's hard to believe this is

his boy we're watching.

He's got a ways to go.

A long ways.

[crowd laughing]

Drinks are on me,

sports fans.

[women shouting]

You still need a partner?

Orson Redd just told me that

Beamer has set the kids up in

a freeze out

against Walter Frost.

The cocaine dealer?

The same.

Frosty doesn't like

to lose, Will.

I know.

Those kids can beat him.

Harley, I can't be

worried about that.

My own game is coming together.

No reason I can't win this

little tournament.

I just told you what Billy's

walking into and you're

just gonna sit here?

That boy only learns

one way, Harley.

[birds chirping]

How long you think

this match'll go?

Well, like I said,

it's a freeze out.

You have to win by ten games.

You see, after I put my $15,000

on top of Frosty's 15,

nobody unscrews a stick

until you put away the nine ball

ten more times than they have.

Well, you don't seem

too worried.

Would you like

a picture of my Holson.

Ah, you guys can take him.

That is, if the kid's mind is

right and he ain't regrettin'.

You got a cold one up there?

His mind's right.

[sighing]

♪♪

Upstairs.

Aw, Mr. "Streamer."

Greetings and hallucinations.

That's, uh,

quite a spread, Frosty.

Athletes need

their nourishment.

Mary Beth, Billy Joe,

this is Frosty.

Chick on the stick is Inga.

Hello.

Would you like to warm up?

I always get a little

excited when she says that.

Who wouldn't?

[knocking]

I'd like you all to meet our

genial host, Mr. Teaser.

Uh, who wanted to

use the phone?

Mr. "Streamer."

Mr. "Streamer," I wouldn't

play any long shots at the

track today if I were you.

You're already down

three games here.

Oh, I don't know, this looks

like a pretty safe bet to me.

Pluckin' grapes.

[balls clanking]

[balls clanking]

[balls clanking]

[balls clanking]

[crickets chirping]

♪♪

Don't shorten your

bridge, Frosty.

Boy, those wobblers

gobble you up.

What are you trying to do,

give him rabies?

The man needs some coaching.

I thought that we were up

against the Abominable Snowman.

All we have is a meltdown.

[balls clanking]

You don't think Frosty is

gonna let a couple of kids

get out here with $15,000,

now do you?

There's income tax first.

Do we have to have all

these talkin' stumps in here?

They're friends of mine.

I would never have guessed.

Teaser's friends.

We might have a little

trouble getting out of here.

No window out

the girl's room.

Or the men's.

We can always call

the fire department.

A last resort.

With what?

Aren't you a little warm,

Mr. "Streamer"?

Nope.

We're eight games ahead.

Nine.

Nine.

Your shot, Frosty.

What's the plan?

We lose.

Did that in Oak Ridge.

What are you

trying to prove, boy?

I think walking out on your

dad is giving you a death wish.

Damn table's not level!

That's a sump hole!

You want me to

level it for you?

Not yet.

We'll know if this is

level in a minute.

I beg your pardon.

Didn't mean to distract you.

[whistling]

[knocking]

Federal agent, step aside.

Walter Frost, is it?

That's right,

but I'm not holding.

You can check this whole

place out, tear it apart.

Leonard, there's a man

in here with a gun.

I see him.

Keep him in your scope.

Stanley, William Joseph,

forgery, fraud,

transporting underage girls

across state lines.

Hey, I have rights!

Chuck, we're

coming out the front.

Go ahead.

Don't let anybody

get in our way.

Roger.

Will!

Later, Kirk.

How's the stroke?

Later, Kirk!

I heard you was back

on the circuit.

Teaser, Teaser, come here!

Come here, boy!

[engine revving]

[engine revving]

[tires screeching]

He drives real well when

two sharks are snapping

at his tail.

One thing you can say about

Beamer, win, lose or draw,

somebody's always

after his hide.

[tires screeching]

[tires screeching]

Didn't expect to

see you here.

Neither did I.

You don't learn much turning

your back on people, boy.

Maybe your shoes are too big.

Take a good look at your

friend Beamer there.

If that's the way you want to

spend the rest of your life...

... you better let me know

right now.

♪♪

[birds chirping]

You know, it wouldn't hurt

if you want to talk a little.

The fish are way over there

by the shore.

All I've heard in the last few

miles are those oars.

Well, the only thing I wanna

say is thanks for bailing

my butt out of Frosty's.

Ahh.

You're welcome.

Finally!

Hey, uh, Harley said you made

the quarter finals.

Might have finished

in the money.

Yeah, I was right up to

my speed, all right.

What are you doing?

I'm a fly fisherman.

If I wanted to kill fish,

I'd just drop a stick

of dynamite in the river.

Or were you thinking that

I didn't have a killer instinct?

I'm thinking

I'm getting hungry.

We're gonna be passing some

ponds down here, you oughta

get the duck gun ready.

Look, uh, I really blew that

tournament for you, didn't I?

Aw, not completely.

Oak Ridge was all right.

It gave me a good idea about

restoring that old pool hall.

Something I could put together

for us.

You got that kind of money?

Nashville tournament's

coming up.

That's $50,000 first prize.

Nashville is major league.

You sure you're up to it

after laying out so long?

It hadn't been all that long.

Besides, there's something

I want to play for.

Well, maybe I can win

some money.

That's a distinct

possibility.

Especially if you want to

work for it.

[duck quacking]

Hey--

Ducks, see 'em?

Hey, would you shoot

a little quieter?

I thought we were gonna

cast and blast.

Not at the same time.

Gas station's down the river

about a half a mile

and they'll drive you back up to

the trucks for about five bucks.

So I'll go open up the cabin.

[door creaking]

Hey, come on in.

I was just leaving.

The key's on the table.

I didn't know you

came up here anymore.

Oh yeah, your Aunt Belle

and I still get along.

You always come up

here alone?

Usually.

Why?

Well, they say if you get

divorced the first time,

you wind up getting married

three times.

Well, I wonder why?

They say the second time's on

the rebound and the third time's

always closer to the mark.

Where's the coffee?

It's in the cabinet.

Are you asking me if

I bring other men up here, Will?

No, I just noticed

two frosted-over steaks

in the freezer.

Yeah, they're fresh.

I've been looking for y'all

ever since yesterday afternoon,

according to Aunt Belle.

Well, sorry about that.

We got held up down the state.

Yeah.

♪♪

Well, you know something,

I walked way up the river there

where we flipped that boat,

you know on that big old rock,

'cause we got to kissing

and we had to swim for it?

You didn't see my old

fishing pole up there, did you?

No.

But I got to remembering how

dear that thing was to you.

How you hated to let go of it

when you had to keep me

from drowning when I was

trying to make it to shore.

Some choices

are easy to make.

Hey, Billy's gonna be here

in about an hour.

You wanna stay for supper,

would ya?

Aw, I can't, Will.

I gotta work.

I don't have anybody to

take my place.

By the way, Will.

You know, I didn't marry Frank

on the rebound from you.

Just trying to make

conversation.

Boy, you can pick some

good topics.

Love and divorce and me

carrying a torch for you.

Just tell Billy I'm sorry

I missed him.

[door creaking]

Phew.

General Shelby must have bought

this fuse box from

Thomas Edison himself.

Are we gonna have to

rewire this whole place?

If it were me,

I'd bring in a demolition team.

It would cost you 25,000

just to keep this place

from being condemned.

Look at those beams.

The only reason this place

hasn't fallen down is

the termites are holding hands.

Can this building be restored

to look the way it did

when it was built in 1860?

Oh, it could look great

if it were "teared" out

clean and solid,

but that's another 25,000.

Let's get some

written estimates.

Okay, I'll get some

subcontractors in.

Hey there.

Hi.

Can I have a beer?

Sure.

Where's BJ?

Practicing.

Again?

He was doing that yesterday.

And the day before.

He does 20 drills.

"20 Tortures of the Baron,"

he calls 'em.

Bet he could use a beer.

Billy Joe don't need a beer.

No distractions.

He's trying to get ready

for his Nashville tournament.

What'd the contractor

have to say?

By the time we get through

buying and fixing up,

it's gonna cost almost $100,000.

Too much.

The only hope is that

the seller will come to

a more realistic price.

The price is 40,000.

That is realistic.

Barney, how long can

the termites hold hands?

[chuckling]

[train whistle blowing]

Hey.

Baron says I'm a distraction.

Well, he may be right.

You know, I owe you one.

What for?

'Cause you really rocked me

back on my heels the other

night at Frosty's.

I mean, when you put us

nine games up,

I almost kissed you.

You almost what?

You know, there's a women's

division in this Nashville

tournament, if you want to

ride with us.

Beamer's got plans for me.

You're not interested.

I'm very interested.

Just not in women's tournaments.

Otherwise, I... wouldn't mind

sharing a few motel rooms

with you, partner.

There's Beamer.

Oh wow, look at his car.

[laughing]

You look like you came

through an Oklahoma

hail storm, Beamer.

I came through Frosty's

linebackers.

Where is he?

In the bar.

[laughing]

If y'all need me, I'll be

at Monique's boutique.

And then the hairdresser.

Buy summer clothes,

we're going to Houston.

See ya.

Catching a jet first thing

in the morning, kid.

I'm going to Nashville, Jack.

I handed you $4,000

and you kiss me off?

Gonna try some

gentlemen's pool.

Gentlemen's pool?

That's a tournament where

the hustlers come out of

the bushes and turn their

collar around so the pigeons

won't know they fly so fast.

What kind of match you

gonna have in Houston?

Another drug dealer?

You wanna know about

drugs, boy?

You ask the almighty Baron how

he jarred Archie Harrington.

Be careful, Beamer.

You don't know all the facts.

I know that Archie was about

to win a nine-ball match

for $5,000 when

His Royal Highness here

dropped dope in Archie's drink.

Wait, wait a minute!

You trying to kill him?!

I never jarred anybody!

He knows what I'm talking

about, kid.

Gentlemen's pool...

Don't know what you do

with all this quiet.

I haven't seen a car

in a half-hour.

People around here are

content to stay in

one place for awhile.

It's enough to make you

want to chew gum.

Looks to me like a small case

of pre-tournament jitters.

[chuckling]

[doorbell ringing]

How early we leave

for Nashville?

Son!

Hi, Mom.

Your guest has arrived.

Hello, Sarah.

So good to have you.

I declare time has hardly

laid a hand on you.

You're just as trim and prim

as ever.

I was about to say

the same about you.

Well, prim anyway.

I'm gonna feed the other

boarders in the kitchen

and y'all can have a nice

family dinner at your own

sweet leisure.

Good to have you here.

Thank you.

You've been here before?

Yeah.

But that's a long time ago.

How long you been

living here, Will?

Six years.

Billy Joe didn't tell you

I was coming?

Well, I thought it'd be

a pleasant surprise.

And it is.

Funny, I'm the one I think

could use a drink.

You don't have a bottle

squirreled away somewhere,

I mean, for company?

No, sorry.

You look great, Dee.

Have a seat.

Well, I don't wanna break

one of these heirlooms

that looks like it came over

on the Robert E. winch.

Were, uh, the two of you

together when you were

here before?

It was on our honeymoon.

I thought people were

supposed to have fun on

their honeymoon.

Oh...

Our car broke down.

We were on our way

to New Orleans.

You know something, I swear,

Will, I just can't believe

you've changed this much.

And you, son, you look

almost athletic.

[chuckling]

Have you beat your dad yet?

No, he won't play me anymore.

He's trying to win my

fancy shooting stick,

and his game is short.

I can't tell

who's hustling who.

[laughing]

And so we're, uh, running

for the boat behind Frosty's

pool hall and I slip and fall

in the river with the handcuffs

still on behind my back.

I had to fish around for him.

I thought he was gonna

drown for sure.

Where's Frosty and his gang?

Chasing Beamer

just like the Baron figures.

How'd you figure that?

Aggravating desperation

calls for bodacious inspiration.

[laughing]

Didn't that Beamer used to

back you some?

For awhile, 'til I found out

he was giving me 20% of

the side bets

and calling it 50.

How about that?

We got the same package.

Small world.

Yeah, too small.

Hey, listen, get your daddy

to tell you about

the freeze out.

Remember that time half the pool

hall caught on fire and we

couldn't get anybody out of

there because nobody could get

ten games ahead.

Who were you playing?

Was that Archie Harrington?

No, I was playing

Chuck Press.

You know, I heard Archie

got killed.

Yeah, killed in a car wreck.

It was bad.

He could have cleared up

something for me.

Something Beamer told Billy

about me.

Oh, you mean when

Archie got doped.

That's 20 years ago.

I was there.

Did he just pass out in

the middle of a game?

No, it was a proper jar.

It's usually amphetamines.

It makes you overconfident

and you try impossible shots.

Yeah, and he got jarred

just in the nick of time.

What do you mean?

Well, you were losing it.

That 5,000 bucks bailed you

out of a world of hurt.

I didn't jar Archie!

Well, you were pretty happy

about all that money.

Which means I was

in on it, huh?

Well, I didn't see you

give the money back.

I was drunk, I didn't know

what I was doing!

That's the same old excuse!

If there's one thing

you enjoy, it's believing

the very worst about me!

Mom, come on, we haven't

had dessert yet.

I'd say we've just about

covered it.

She came all the way

from Memphis!

This Archie Harrington thing

is not that important to me.

It is to her.

She came in here looking

for my bottle and I

disappointed her.

♪♪

You're headed in

the right direction!

Go on!

[birds chirping]

I always look forward to

this tournament.

Good old Nashville.

The soul of the old South.

Capitol of southern sin,

I hear.

If you mean ladies with

a more liberal point of view,

you're right.

It's a faster track.

Zero to 70 in two beers.

Hey, I hope you realize we're

down here to win, not womanize.

Girls have never

affected my game.

You've never played morning

matches against this

kind of competition.

Women torque out your

timing, son.

Shake your speed.

Next morning your stroke is

wiggling like

cranberry jelly in July.

Are you saying no women?

All I'm saying is if you

want to win, have your

fun afterwards.

Is that why you left Mom?

She torqued out your timing?

[chuckling]

Nah, I was usually right on

my game with her around.

Well, I'm sorry about

the, uh, the other night.

I should have let you known

she was coming.

That's all right.

Just means we were after

the same thing.

[elevator dinging]

I feel like practicing.

Breakfast first.

It's gonna be a long day.

[elevator dinging]

So Beamer takes off like

a skulking jar but the Baron

damn near drowned his own kid.

[men laughing]

Well, where's Beamer now?

He showed up.

Beamer always come out

smelling like a rose.

Oh.

Here comes the defrosters.

Where's your badge, Baron?

Say, Baron, can I borrow

your handcuffs?

I wanna teach my wife

how to swim.

[laughing]

He used to be a pool player

before he got into

law enforcement.

Dixon, this is my boy,

Billy Joe.

This is Dixon Vance,

the Christmas Bandit.

Vance is the name,

pool's the game.

[laughing]

Say, Will, what are you

gonna do if your kid wins

this tournament?

Break his knuckles.

[laughing]

♪ Gave proof

♪ Through the night

♪ That our flag

♪ Was still there

♪ O say does that

♪ Star-spangled banner

♪ Yet wave

♪ O'er the land of the free

♪ And the home

♪ Of the brave? ♪

Gentlemen, you may break.

[crowd applauding]

Talk about luck.

Yeah, the more I practice,

the luckier I get.

[balls clanking]

[crowd applauding]

[balls clanking]

[balls clanking]

[crowd applauding]

[balls clanking]

Oh, you're plowing

right through me, kid.

So are you.

We may cross sticks

in the semis.

Hey, how you doing, Harley?

Vance rolled right over me.

But I'm way ahead on my bets.

It's just like the old days.

You were my primary

source of income.

Hey, I thought I heard you.

When did you get here?

This morning.

I watched all of Billy Joe's

matches, and I watched

one of yours.

And I'm gonna see

both of you tomorrow

in the quarterfinals.

Yeah, I play Burt Manning,

and Dad has Dixon Vance.

Look, uh,

why don't I buy you a beer--

Why don't you buy me a beer?

So you came down to see

Billy Joe play, huh?

Oh yeah.

And to apologize.

I just realized how bad I was

at that dinner the other day.

Oh, well, I went off a little

fast on the draw myself,

but, Dee, there's something

you gotta know about me.

I know who I am and what I am

and I'm not what I was.

Well, listen, you're dead

wrong about one thing, Will.

I always did believe in you.

Trouble was there's just

too much got in the way

back then.

How about some supper?

All right.

♪♪

Did you see that?

What?

Well, either that

button moved...

or I believe

I've had a touch too much.

[elevator dinging]

[knocking]

[siren blaring in the distance]

[banging]

[groaning]

Oh...

Uh-oh.

You got a match downstairs

with her husband, now.

Come on.

Your husband?

You know, that could be.

He does play pool.

Her husband is Burt Manning?

[water running]

Oh!

Whoo!

Welcome to

tournament pool, kid.

[sighing]

I thought you might get

tired of this game.

Never.

I enjoy my work.

Hey now, don't you be

too hard on him.

He's a nice boy.

Real nice.

[balls clanking]

[whistling]

[crowd applauding]

A run of four straight racks

for Mr. Manning.

Mr. Manning leads Mr. Stanley

7 games to zero.

[crowd applauding]

[crowd applauding]

Oh...

Here we go.

Hey, Baron, that kid of yours

looks like he's been in

an all-night rodeo.

You gonna shoot?

[whistling]

[crowd applauding]

Foul, Mr. Stanley.

[crowd applauding]

[balls clanking]

I just handed you

a game, Dixon.

Must be the Christmas spirit.

Makes me generous.

♪♪

[balls clanking]

[crowd applauding]

You checking out?

You'd be well-advised

not to say too much to me.

Look, I screwed up royally,

I know.

I can't play wet nurse,

probation officer,

and tournament pool all

at the same time.

You trying to say you

would have beat Dixon Vance

if I wouldn't have been here?

Best pool I played in years.

Why'd you unscrew your stick

before the game was over with?

You're off the bottle, kid.

You're on your own.

So what else is new?!

I had more practice at that

than anything else.

Years of it.

Look, I'm gonna make

a comeback and you're not

gonna stand in my way.

You got beat by

a better player.

Now you're gonna walk,

just like you did on Mom.

Great Baron's gonna show me

his back again.

I made the quarter finals.

You got me there.

I was-- I was ready to

win this whole thing for us.

Will?

I guess I could've picked

a better time, but I think

we got trouble.

Barney's found another buyer

for the billiard hall.

How much are they offering

for the pool hall, Barney?

33,000.

Played me like a fiddle.

What do ya mean?

They slipped a

building inspector in here.

Now I have to sell.

They gonna

condemn this place?

If it's not

brought up to code.

Is this the table where

Joe Shelby slept off of, drunk?

Yeah, this was my daddy's

favorite table.

Listen, there's a bar up

the street I'm trying to buy.

I need 15,000 now

to nail it down

and the rest by next Monday.

If you guys can come up

with that, I'll sell this place

to you for the same price.

33 is a good price, Harley.

We're gonna need more

than that, Will.

We're talking $50,000

after we buy the place.

25,000 just to keep them

from dynamiting it.

Uh, the Atlanta tournament's

Thursday.

It's about 25,000 in

runner-up money

and 50,000 for first.

Go win yourself a pool hall.

You got a fever, son.

There'll be over 100 great

players in that tournament.

You've already beat

95% of them.

It's a national

nine-ball championship.

Aggravating desperation calls

for bodacious inspiration.

I've got 5,000 cash,

another 20,000 out in markers.

I can come up with 7,000.

No markers.

15,000 now, and the rest

by next week.

Three makes 15.

Looks like we're

going to Atlanta.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Atlanta

and the Waverly Hotel

proudly presents

the finest pool players

in America,

in the National Nine-Ball Pocket

Billiards Championship.

[crowd applauding]

Gentlemen, you may lag.

Good luck.

[crowd applauding]

I think you had those

balls running scared, Will.

Those balls have got

something I want.

Next on table number two

is Charles Pratt,

the Rock Chugger

from Wyoming, playing

BJ Stanley, the Cajun Kid.

[crowd applauding]

Now, something that

doesn't happen very often,

ladies and gentlemen,

Billy Joe is playing

on the same table at which his

father, the Baron, just won

a decisive victory,

in less than 45 minutes,

I might add.

[crowd applauding]

Nothing to be ashamed of,

Billy Joe.

Not when you got beat by

the defending champion.

[phone ringing]

Yeah, one more loss

and I'm out.

Hey, BJ?

Telephone.

Hello?

Hi.

Hey, Mom.

Listen, I'm watching you

on the cable.

What are you guys trying to do?

You trying to win that thing?

[crowd applauding]

Wait a minute, hold on.

Five out of six

straight racks and match

to Will Addington.

Did you hear that?

Yeah, the Baron just

took another one.

I mean, he's kicking tail.

Try and talk Mom into

coming down.

We could use the help, Dee.

Well, I-- I guess

I just wanna hear that

from you, Will.

I always did a lot better

with you sweating for me.

You know I never heard

Billy Joe so excited

or so proud.

When can you be here?

Tomorrow.

Great.

[crowd applauding]

You got a match inside.

Thank you.

[crowd applauding]

[crowd applauding]

A run of six straight racks

and match to Will Addington.

[crowd applauding]

[crowd applauding]

[clearing throat]

[crowd applauding]

[crowd applauding]

[crowd applauding]

[balls clanking]

[crowd applauding]

[crowd applauding]

Hey.

Hi.

Where'd you come from?

Houston.

I won a cushy-cushy car.

Oh God, you played so

beautiful out there, Billy.

I think you missed something.

I lost at my other tournament.

Well, what did you expect,

to stomp everyone

your first time out?

You made it to the quarters

in the nationals.

Do you have a room?

♪♪

[crowd applauding]

You know, we're heading

for Detroit tomorrow.

You know what they play for

up there in Detroit?

50- to 100,000

if you're talking about doubles.

Are you?

Not necessarily.

But, you know, you do have

three weeks before

your next tournament.

Well, I got to practice.

I got people depending on me.

Oh, that's nice,

if you can depend on them.

[phone ringing]

Hello.

Hold-- hold on.

Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

What's wrong?

That's Dad.

Did he lose?

Mm-mm.

He squeaked through the semis

but Harley says that--

says he may need me.

That is the first time

I heard you say that...

... "Dad."

♪♪

♪ Just another

♪ One-night stand

♪ Just another

♪ Man to forget

♪ Just another...

Looking for a game, boy?

♪ Nothing left to bare

Bartender, get the Cajun Kid

a beer.

[cash register dinging]

You made it

through the semis.

Thanks to our little friend

here, the Rock of Ages.

The cue ball knows, boy.

The cue ball has got your

number and your confidence

and your fears and your age.

I miscued on my last shot...

and bless his heart...

... he still delivered.

[chuckling]

And that's what your were boy,

a miscue.

And your poor mother...

bless her heart...

You're in the finals

in eight hours.

Against Dixon Vance.

♪ Deck the halls with

♪ Boughs of holly ♪

I know why you came

looking for me.

You want to play me for

my fancy shooting stick.

Let's go find a bar

with a pool table.

You know that's not

why I'm here.

Yes it is.

Let's find a pool table.

In America,

we walk on the right.

♪ Just another

♪ Man to forget ♪

There's a nice bar.

Let's go back to the hotel.

First we play, kid.

You got a chance to win

a billiard hall.

What do I want with

a billiard hall? What?!

More people hanging on me?

You're looking for

an excuse to lose.

I'm looking for a reason

to win.

You think I need leeches

draining my stroke?

I've been there, kid.

Let's get some sleep, okay?

Hey, I'll see you around

Tennessee, all right?

Come on!

Hey!

Oh!

Taxi!

Take me to the airport.

♪♪

[phone ringing]

Yeah.

No, he took off, Harley.

Grabbed a jet about

5:00 this morning.

Wait.

Ha!

Well, I declare!

You got 45 minutes, come on!

Oh, six years sober

and I blew it.

My hands have turned to

wind chimes.

Sounds like pre-tournament

jitters to me.

Ahh!

Where's the hot water?

Do I have to wash you, too?

You know, I can't play

wet nurse, probation officer

and tournament pool

at the same time.

Ow!

[elevator dinging]

[elevator dinging]

Hey, give me that.

Mom, you made it.

I wouldn't have missed it

for anything.

I gotta go warm up.

You know, my money's on

Vance, every cent of...

I'm sorry, kid, I gotta

go with the percentages.

You bet on Vance.

Well, you know, the Baron

had trouble with him.

Even when he was in his prime.

Why'd you never tell me

you used to back the Baron?

Well, I didn't think you'd

want to hear about all that.

I mean, about that side

of your dad, you know?

I mean, what he used to do

to win the big matches.

You understand, kid.

Mr. Addington has won the lag

and the Baron will break.

Third game to Mr. Addington.

The score is eight to five,

Mr. Addington.

[crowd applauding]

Could I have a glass of

grapefruit juice and

another cup of coffee, please?

Sure.

And another Hail Mary.

Okay.

Where's the men's room?

It's just past the bar,

on your right.

Thank you.

[balls clanking]

[balls clanking]

[crowd applauding]

Grapefruit juice

and a Bloody Mary, okay?

♪♪

Will, you got back

just in time.

I left you a real cutie.

Safety.

Safety allowed.

Well, Will, it looks like

I'm gonna have to do something

real spectacular.

Just two games away from

$50,000.

[whistling]

Whoa.

♪♪

[whistling]

[crowd groaning]

Those Blood Mary's

give him confidence.

Too much, he's trying

the low-percentage shots.

The score is nine to seven,

Mr. Addington.

Looks like

my last chance, huh?

You gonna take your stick?

Hey, I like

your thinking, Will.

[whistling]

A foul.

Mr. Addington has

the cue ball in hand.

Nine-ball combination

corner.

Game match and championship,

Mr. Will Addington.

[cheers and applause]

Well, it looks like you

finally got me, you old shark.

♪♪

[cameras clicking]

[phone ringing]

Hello.

No, just needed

a few minutes alone.

I am glad you're here, Dee.

Yeah, especially now.

I'll be down in a few minutes.

♪♪

Congratulations, Champ.

You found the ultimate pill.

Hardly anybody knew

what happened.

Be careful, Beamer.

You gonna tell me that

Dixon Vance

wasn't jarred, Preacher?

Well, the tournament committee

here isn't familiar with

Dixon's style, but you know

and I know that he would

never try a moon shot.

Get out of here, Beamer!

Yeah, why not?

There's nothing more to say.

My associates will

even up the score.

[groaning]

[grunting]

[clattering]

He had it coming, kid,

for what he done!

You came just at

the right time, son.

They were gonna

break my thumbs.

I got in a couple of licks,

but they could have left sooner.

You jarred Dixon.

That's why they did this.

I didn't have to.

I was in the zone.

I was hoping it was booze

that made him shoot wild,

but it was dope.

Hey, I didn't--

You righteous phony!

Your pool pit just

went in the toilet, and so

did your gentleman's pool.

You know, if-- if hustling's

stealing, you got away with

grand theft.

But, Billy Joe, you might

not know all the--

I know all I have to know.

He jarred Vance!

I didn't dope Vance.

You believe that, don't you?

Yes.

Mary Beth...

we're not gonna make Knoxville

tonight if we have to stop

and pay speeding tickets.

What's in Knoxville?

Tobacco tycoon

and his mistress.

They get off on pool.

[chuckling]

Guess that means I'll be

playing doubles

from here on out, huh?

Ah, the money's deeper

at that end, kid.

We're gonna play Ames.

Ames in Detroit, BJ.

And then New York.

Then in Tennessee.

Yeah, sounds great.

Well, what's great is you

kids don't have to lay

down the lamb, and you just

walk in there saying

"gosh" and "gee whiz" and

"golly" and you'll go through

them like milk of magnesia.

In a few months, you'll be able

to buy that billiard parlor

for your daddy.

You are kidding.

I hope that place burns

to the ground.

Hey, you don't wanna

talk that way.

Why not?

Hating your dad

ain't healthy.

It's double-edged,

cuts both ways.

Take it from one

who's done some cutting.

Thought you and your dad

got along.

Yeah, before he

went into the joint.

Well, he was just there

a few years, you said.

Six.

He got paroled, we had

a coming-out party--

balloons, banners, cake,

the whole family,

all seven of us.

Yeah?

I guess seeing all the people

who loved him and needed him

gave Dad a crying a fit.

He balled for a half-hour,

all of us hugging him.

Then he put us all to bed,

went out, tried to rob

a liquor store.

Got put away again.

Mary Beth, is that

a service station up ahead?

Pull off there, will ya?

I need a phone to

lay down some bets.

If you can find the brakes,

that is.

[bell dinging]

I got news for you, kid.

I love you.

I don't get it.

Our friend Beamer put all

his money on the Baron.

[door opening]

Vance still at the hospital?

No, I brought him back.

He's up in his room

taking a rest.

They drew every fluid he owns.

When we gonna know something?

Well, it shouldn't take long.

The hospital lab has

this number.

The only thing about

this, Will, nobody else

asked for a blood test.

For all we know, this was

his drinking.

And that's Vance.

And the way you were playing,

I'd of probably had

a few drinks myself.

He was doped.

I wouldn't be too sure

about that, Will, he--

Tournament desk,

Matthew Brady speaking.

Yep, that's right.

Mm-hmm.

No sign of any

mind-altering drugs.

Except a trace of alcohol

and a slightly high blood sugar.

That's from all those

Christmas carols

he's been singing.

[laughing]

All right, Will.

Go buy yourself that

billiard hall.

What are you doing?

I beat him once,

I'll beat him again.

Oh, come on, Will, now

what kind of pill could get by

42 different lab tests?

It's called a Patagonia Blue.

A heavy dose of pure adrenalin,

the kind your body makes.

Beamer put it in Vance's drink.

I guess that's why it didn't

turn up in the tests.

How do you know

it was Beamer?

I was with him when he

bought the pills in Houston.

Then Beamer bet on me.

Made a bundle.

He knew a jar job on Vance

would put Billy back

in his stable.

So where do you stand?

♪♪

[laughing]

Come on,

chalk your cue up there.

We're gonna play us some

eight-ball.

♪ Wish I had a known ya

♪ When you were

♪ A little younger

♪ 'Round me you might have

♪ Learned a thing or two

♪ If I had known ya longer

♪ You might be

♪ A little stronger

♪ Maybe you'd shoot straighter

♪ Than you do

♪ Maybe you'd shoot straighter

♪ Than you do

♪ The game was never finished

♪ The eight ball never fell

♪ The Baron calmly

♪ Picked it up

♪ And put it on a shelf

♪ Then he placed the ring

♪ In the hands that held him

♪ Long ago

♪ And he tossed that fancy

♪ Shootin' stick

♪ To his son Billy Joe

♪ And he said

♪ Well I wish I had a known ya

♪ When you were

♪ A little younger

♪ 'Round me you might have

♪ Learned a thing or two

♪ If I had known ya longer

♪ You might be

♪ A little stronger

♪ Maybe you'd shoot straighter

♪ Than you do

♪ Maybe you'd shoot straighter

♪ Than you do

♪ Well I wish I had a known ya

♪ When you were

♪ A little younger

♪ 'Round me you might have

♪ Learned a thing or two

♪ If I had known ya longer

♪ You might be

♪ A little stronger

♪ Maybe you'd shoot straighter

♪ Than you do

♪ Maybe you'd shoot straighter

♪ Than you do ♪