A Friendship Begins

A Friendship Begins

FauxNe

         As Joe walked into Sulley’s he could smell the individuality of the place. The wood scent masked by the lacquer that has barely cured, the felt on the tables so new they smell like fresh laundry. From the doorway he could hear the ruckus that was happening inside, he walked down the short hallway and turned the corner into the main hall. On his left the bar sat with stools lining entire length, a doorway to the back office and storage was located in the corner next to the bar. The bathrooms doors were straight ahead and the tables were on the right down the length of the hall. With a game going at every table Joe saw many faces from the local spots, but he also saw just as many strangers as well. It was clear that players from all over town had come to 3^rd Street to check the place out. Initially Joe was somewhat taken aback by the size of the hall and the commotion of opening night. After looking over the tables and the players he saw no need to rush into the action as it was so early in the night.

         Looking at the bar again there were two men spaced apart occupying the right side of the bar so he quietly walked over and sat on the second to last seat on the left. The bar was nice, high quality work, one could tell it was custom carpentry. The liquor on the shelf was backlit, mirrored, and was floated which made the place seem even bigger. After a moment the bartender came out of the back, a balding man with grey sides dressed in slacks and a collared shirt. He looks over at Joe and comes right over.

         “Welcome to my bar, my name is Sulley. What’ll you have tonight?” He asked Joe with a smile on his face. He spoke quickly, his excitement from the busy turnout coming out with every word.

         Joe politely nodded and smiled back responding with his name in respect.

“Joe. I’ll take scotch. Neat. Thank you.”

         “You got it boss.” Sulley walks down to the far side of the bar and gets a bottle and glass then brings it back.

         “I saw you eyeballing the games, I’m sure there’s one open over there.” Sulley chimed in while pouring Joe’s drink.

Something about Joe’s quietness seemed to draw more conversation to him. And he always noticed it every single time. And every time he would respond with a sly grin and one single nod, if he felt there was need for a response then he would give it.

“Little hectic out there. It’s still early.” Joe said trying to hide his eagerness to play.

“Yeah it’s a little loud right now.” Said Sulley not trying to hide the pride in his voice. “You from 3^rd Street?” He asked bluntly.

Joe nodded and grinned. “Yeah I’ve been here for a bit.”

“You know I heard of you. Once people found out I was putting this many tables in I kept hearing your name come up.” Sulley’s tone was already casual as if he and Joe were old friends.

“Is that right?” Joe asked quickly.

“Well nothing bad. Heh. I walked up and down 3^rd Street before this place was built, and I knew that people here like to play. They said that the best players look for you every night for some action.” Sulley said with a happy tone in his voice.

“I wouldn’t say every night. But I’ll play a game or two.” Joe said picking up on Sulley’s tone.

“Yeah, I bet.” Sulley said sarcastically. He continued to speak in a hushed tone towards Joe’s ear.

“Apparently I’m not the only one that’s heard of you. That young guy in the back playing on table 7 came up to me asking about you. I could tell he’d never seen your face before.” Sulley’s voice now having an air of concern to it.

“You get his name?” Joe asked remaining casual.

“Yeah.” Sulley nodded. “Charlie. Didn’t say where he was from.”

“Hmm.” Joe barely shrugs at the statement. “Never heard of him.”

“Yeah? Well maybe he heard what I heard then.” Sulley suggested.

In Joe’s mind he already knew how his name was getting around, and by sarcastic coincidence that same moment he heard the familiar boisterous laugh coming from the entrance. Joe looked at Sulley and gave a quick chuckle to himself as George came around the corner nearly taking up the entire hallway forcing others to walk behind him. He had his vest unbuttoned without his coat, his usual appearance after he has tied a few drinks on. His wife, who is clearly pissed off, followed behind him holding his coat. At once George saw Joe and laughed even louder heading straight to him. The entire hall stops and looks over at George, whose voice is carrying over all the noise, then quickly they all get back to their games.

“You trying to hide from me, eh Joe?” George bellowed. “I didn’t see you at Peregino’s.”

“I said I wasn’t playing there tonight.” Joe said trying his hardest not to laugh. Even when he was irritated he couldn’t help but be infected with George’s sense of jolliness.

“Oh.” George responded abruptly with a confused look on his face but instantly came back to a smile.

“You did say this, so I am here now and I want to play. You can’t keep taking my money every time Joe HAHAHA.” George’s laughter echoes over everything in the hall.

After the second time Joe’s name was announced across the tables he couldn’t help but turn and scan the hall. And sure enough a younger man with light colored hair with his shirt sleeves unbuttoned and rolled up his forearms began walking towards the bar with a cocky grin on his face.

George immediately orders two pints and turns to the hall looking for familiar faces. After only a second he is greeted by others and he walks off leaving his angry wife at the bar. Soon enough, like always, she will lose her patience and simply walk home by herself. Joe nods towards her in acknowledgement of her frustration which brings a quick smile from her.

         “Let me get another.” The younger man throws some cash on the bar next to Joe and looks right at him.

         “So you’re Joe. I’ve been looking for a good game since I got here and I was told to find you. And here you are. I’m Charlie.” He said trying to be as clever as possible.

         “Yeah I like to play a few games.” Joe responded staring back at Charlie.

         “AH YOU’RE Charlie!” George’s voice startles both Joe and Charlie as he walks back up to the bar for his pints.

“So you think you can beat Joe eh? Well now we can see who wins and takes the money.” His voice still bellowing over everyone else.

“I’m just looking for a good game. And if you want I’ll take your money. How about we do a race to 5 for $100 a game.” Said Charlie with a hint of mockery as Sulley poured his drink.

“Sure I’ll play a few games.”

Joe’s unruffled demeanor becoming apparent once again. In his head he knew these first few matches would only reveal his opponents weaknesses. So he would be more than willing to lose the first chunk of money, this way he could tell if Charlie was a “stayer” or not. Whether he could keep his game up for the long haul and the big bucks. He already knew Charlie was good just by his name getting around; so Joe just needed to play past him, and eventually his endurance would come through where Charlie will choke.