Walkaway Joe

There are all sorts of ways to hit a cue ball.

The thing you're trying to do

is send it in a particular direction,

to hit another ball and drop that ball into a pocket,

but it's where you send the cue ball next

that separates you from the others.

When you first start playing,

you think it's only about that one ball.

You can put backspins, sidespin or topspin on a ball,

or you can make it stop on a dime, bounce off a rail.

You can hit a ball soft, hard, or just give it a little kiss.

You can send a ball behind another ball

to make it hard for your opponent to make a shot.

Once you have the skills, you can do any of these things.

Some dads take their kids to church or to the ball game.

That's what some dads do.

My dad? He took me to pool halls,

and he taught me how to play a game called 9-ball.

- Are you ready? - Yeah.

- Mm! - Alright, fellas.

I tell you what.

We'll put my watch against your $50.

It's worth three -- five times more than that.

- Wait, hold on. - What are you doing?

What do you say?

Me and my sentimental, watch-loving son

against you two fellows,

and I tell you what because we -- we are...

- No, Dad. Dad, come on. - That's your grandpa's watch.

- Zip it. Zip it. - It costs...

Sorry.

Why don't you run and get me a pack of cigarettes?

That shirt really brings out your eyes.

Here is to your grandpa.

Nice watch.

Nine-ball, succession pool --

where you got to knock them down in order.

This is truly a sport.

It takes skill, and, more importantly...

it takes foresight.

Ah, come on!

I love $50.

Nine-ball -- sport of kings.

What do you say, fellas? Double or nothing?

- Yeah, not this time. - I don't think so.

Well, thank you so much for your patronage.

Could have at least saved me a shot.

Well, I tell you what,

next game, you shoot first.

Now, how about you get us a couple drinks?

My treat.

Hey, kiddo, I didn't realize how late it was.

Your mom is gonna have my hide. Let's skedaddle.

Come on, let's just stay a little bit longer?

I'll let you drive.

Awesome.

- Chip? - (SMOOCHES)

Yeah.

- Ah, damn it, go! - Go, Dallas!

Aah!

Jesus, easy, boy!

Dallas, I ain't telling you again.

Get up.

You're not staying home from school,

so you get that out of your head right now.

Hey, I need your help cleaning out the shed after dinner.

- Can't. - Is that so?

Dad has got a game with some guys from Kentwood.

- Forget it. - He wants me there.

Dad, tell her what the deal is tonight.

You're not going, and that's the end of it.

We'll see.

Yeah, we will see, won't we?

Did you even hear that?

Hey!

That's trouble, you know.

You never help me discipline him.

He is barely squeaking by in school!

He's fine.

By your standards, maybe.

Did it ever occur to you

to be his parent instead of his playmate?

Just one cup of coffee.

He's doing fine.

What do you mean by that?

Well, what I mean is

he's doing fine, Gina.

I thought you'd had enough of this shit when you was a kid.

Damn it, Gina, don't.

I know the road you're going down. Don't do it.

- Shit! - I'm gonna be late again.

We need to talk. I mean it.

I'm not worried, Gina.

I can't just leave work like that

every time you cause a problem at school.

I'm gonna lose my job over your little stunts!

Oh, God.

- Mom? - Mom, let me see.

- Dallas. - Mom, let me see!

Dallas!

Honey...

You know how your daddy can get!

Your daddy around?

No.

- He say when he'll be back? - No.

Well, why don't that surprise me?

Well, tell him Earl stopped by.

He'll know why.

I always thought I was gonna have a big life --

nice house, two cars, three kids.

Just like on the TV.

- This is it. - Let's face it.

He hasn't been good to you in forever.

Only part of my dream that come true is Dallas.

You know how you know when it's over, Sandy?

They stop kissing you.

Better no man than a worthless one.

Who you calling worthless, Sandy?

Dallas.

I see the way you flirt with him.

Oh, please.

And you -- you -- you wonder why he takes off!

You're bad-mouthing him all the time.

That is not fair!

- It's true. - You drove him away!

- Go to your room. - Go!

I don't want to hear another word out of you, go!

Get!

Well, look at what the cat drug in.

She's a beaut.

- Yeah. - You seen Cal around, Jackie?

- Earlier. - You two aren't together?

Can I get a drink?

So if you're not with your dad,

how'd you get here anyway?

- Yo, Dallas! - You're up.

- Coming. - Be right back.

Good because I'm not done with you yet.

Wait, you're Dallas?

Last time I checked, and, uh, you must be Wayne.

- No, kid. - No, this isn't Toys "R" Us.

We're playing for money here.

Nine-ball, it's the bottom of the break.

Call your last shot.

Let's rack them.

Oh.

Believe you just lost all that paper-route money, kid.

Oh!

I -- I do believe this is what they call "ball in hand."

so, uh, let's see.

If I were a cue ball, where would I want to be?

I don't know, Wayne. What do you think?

Because, you know, I got a lot of different options here.

You know, I could take a shot on that side pocket right there.

Maybe I could spice some things up and try and do a bank.

Ooh!

I'm not gonna feel so bad about whooping your narrow hide.

Well, uh, you want to make it $40,

so you can take me a real good lesson?

Done.

Oh, my, the heat is on.

Ahh.

Excuse me.

Nine-ball, one rail, corner back here.