A Game of Pool - Recap

In an empty pool hall, Jesse Cardiff is ceaselessly practicing his game but complains that all he hears is how legendary pool play Fats Brown is better. Cardiff declares that he'd give anything to play Fats Brown in just one game. In a misty limbo, a voice summons pool player Fats Brown from the table where he's practicing his game and sends him to the pool room in Chicago.



Fats appears behind Cardiff and says that he's at his service. When Jesse confirms who Fat is, he starts to back down until Fats taunts him by noting that he's just a blowhard. Jesse takes his challenge and Fats asks what the stakes are. Fats doesn't have any use for Jesse's money and says that if Jesse loses, he'll die. When Jesse hesitates, Fats taunts him again, saying he doesn't want it hard enough. Jesse explains that he hasn't done anything but play pool for years, but in return Fats notes that you never make the grade by playing it safe. Jesse accepts the terms and the game begins.They flip for the break, and Fats gives him one last chance to back out, which Jesse refuses.



Fats wins the break and notes that the man who goes second has the advantage. He makes a perfect break, two balls to the rail, no advantage given. Jesse sets him up with a poor positioning and Fats misses the shot. Jesse then makes his first shot but snaps at Fats, saying everyone put him down until he found one thing he was good at. He misses the shot and Fats makes a few shots but then misses. The game continues and Jesse takes an early lead but Fats isn't impressed.



It comes down to Jesse needing one ball to win, while Fats needs four. Jesse misses his shot and Fats sinks one... two... and three balls. He shoots the fourth ball... and misses. He then tells Jesse there's more to life than pool and suggests he get out. He then drops his cue, making Jesse miss the shot. Fats takes the shot... and misses, setting up a perfect shot for Jesse. Fats warns that he still hasn't sunk it, but he's sweating. Jesse notes that Fats doesn't want to lose his title and Fats agrees, but says that legends serve a purpose, to weed out the ones who don't have what it takes. Jesse prepares his final shot but Fats notes that he might win more than he bargained for. Jesse refuses to back down and Fats notes he's required to say it.



Jesse takes the shot... and sinks it. Fats smiles and starts to pack up, thanking Jesse. Jesse wonders what he means and Fats says that he'll learn what he means when he leaves the pool hall. Jesse turns... and Fats is gone. Jesse celebrates his triumph and promises that no one will ever take it away from him.



Years later after his death, Jesse is in limbo, his legend living on. A voice summons him to a pool hall in Sandusky, Ohio where he wearily has to take on another challenger... and another... and another.



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