There are several pool tables set up in the center of the hall, with a small unmanned bar against the back. All that’s at the bar are empty glasses and several beer taps. A thick layer of smoke fills the upper part of the hall as other girls exhale from their cigarettes. Your eyes water slightly from the intensity of it.
A handful of the girls are at the tables playing, while other girls sit in bar stools around them watching and waiting for their turns. Plastic cups full of beer are all over along with discarded cups on the ground. You feel a little overdressed as many of the girls are just wearing bikini tops and shorts. Remembering you have on your own bathing suit underneath, as was recommended, you slip off your top and carry it with you.
As you walk towards the tables, you make eye contact with a few of the girls who just smile and acknowledge you. You politely smile back and claim an empty bar stool for yourself.
“Come on Grace,” a girl standing close to you says to a girl leaning over the table, “take your shot already.” Grace looks back over her shoulder for a moment and then back to the table. She shoots and manages to successfully knock balls all over the table, but none fall into a pocket.
“All that for nothing,” the impatient girl laughs and steps up to the table. Grace steps over toward you and watches as her friend lines up for a shot. She mumbles to herself, “like I’ve ever played before.” You look up at her, “I’ve never played either.”
Grace turns and looks at you, “really?” You nod “Great, then we have next game.” “Sure,” you agree, excited to finally have some fun. Grace’s next shot plunges two solid balls into the middle pocket. The girl continues to take shot after shot until the table is cleared of solids. “Eight ball side pocket,” the girl calls out and shoots. The eight ball rolls in as predicted. “Game,” the girl smirks and takes a drink from a beer.
“Great, you win again,” Grace groans, “me and my friend here are gonna play next. The girl did not like this, “What? Best out of 5, come on.” Grace just shakes her head, “you’re a hustler, Tina, I don’t want to play against you anymore.”
Tina just drops the pool cue onto the ground, “fine, play with your ‘friend.’” Tina walks over and refills her beer. “Come on, I’ll set them up and you can go first,” Grace smiles. She racks the balls with the eight ball randomly placed. “It goes in the middle,” Tina yells from the bar. You and Grace just shrug and leave it.
You line yourself up for the break and shoot, the ball smacks the group hard and they fly across the table. “Whoo,” you yell, even though none had gone in. Grace claps and lines up her shot. You watch but start to feel a little parched in the hot room. You walk over to the bar next to Tina and fill a cup. “You’ll be here all day,” Tina laughs and drinks. You ignore her and fill you cup.
But Grace still is lining up her shot and you start to feel what Tina felt. You sigh and take a big gulp of the beer. You’re surprised by how good it tastes. You’ve always enjoyed the taste of beer, but this was exceptional. Grace takes her shot and sinks a striped ball. “Yes, in the hole!” Grace shouts and gets ready for her next shot.