The Hustler

Yes, sir.

I got a little grease in this lining.

It'll take a half-hour to check it.

You want me to fill her up, too?

You better check the oil, too.

Yes, sir.

You boys just passing through?

Yeah.

Pittsburgh? Mmm-hmm.

Coming in or going out?

Going in, to a sales Convention tomorrow.

What do you guys sell?

Drugger supplies. He is going to get an award.

He sold $17,000 worth last month.

Fastest boy in the territory.

Yeah. Fastest and the "bestest."

Another round, one for him and yourself.

Thanks.

Sure is a hot day for driving.

Late afternoon is better. You have plenty of time.

You can make Pittsburgh in two or three hours.

He's right.

What do you say, Charlie?

Play a little pool? Wait out the heat?

It'll cost you money. Always does.

Come on, stop stalling. Grab yourself a cue.

Good thing he can afford it.

Keep them coming. J.T.S. Brown.

Hmm?

You miss again, you lose again.

What is the kid in hock for so far?

About $60, $70.

Next game, $10.

Nice looking boy, clean-cut.

It's too bad he can't hold his liquor.

I made it, boy! I finally made it!

Come on, pay up, Þay Up, Sucker!

You ought to shoot craps with that luck!

What do you mean, luck?

You know what I mean.

You couldn't make that shot again in a million years.

I couldn't? Okay, set them up the way they were before.

Why?

Set them up the way they were before.

I'll bet you $20 that I make that shot the same way again.

Nobody can make that shot, not even a lucky lush.

How is that?

Is that the way they were before?

Yeah, that's it.

Come on, put it up.

Set them up again.

Come on, set them up again.

You're drunk, boy. I'm not betting you anymore.

What do you mean?

Lefsleave.

We have to be at that Convention in the morning.

Up the flagpole with the Convention!

Come on, I got my money on the table.

I don't want it.

I'll try you.

Don't be a chump. Don't bet any more money on that damn fool shot!

Well, now, well...

You figure I'm a little drunk, I'm loaded on hemp,

and you just want in real friendly

while the money's still floating?

Okay.

Go ahead. Set them up.

You want some easy money? Here's $105. One week's Commission.

You want to take the whole thing?

Then you get a crack at your easy money.

I'll take a piece of that action.

Me, too.

No, I want him!

I'll take it out of the till.

I'll meet you in the car, chump!

Morning, Henry.

Quiet.

Yeah, like a church.

The Church of the Good Hustler.

It looks like a morgue to me.

Those tables are the slabs they lay the stiffs on.

I'll be alive when I get out.

Any table?

Any table.

No bar?

No bar, no pinball machines, no bowling alleys, just pool. Nothing else.

This is Ames, mister.

"This is Ames, mister."

Nice, clean pocket-drop.

How much am I going to win tonight?

$10,000. I'm going to win $10,000 in one night.

Who's going to beat me?

Come on, Charlie. Who's going to beat me?

Okay, nobody can beat you.

$10,000!

What other poolroom is there where a guy can win $10,000 in one night?

I can remember hustling an old man for a dime a game.

We got company.

Are you looking for action?

Maybe. Want to play?

No, heH, no.

Are you Eddie Felson?

Who's he?

What's your game? What do you shoot?

You name it, we shoot it.

Fnend, I'm not trying to hustle.

I never hustle people that bring in leather satchels.

Don't hustle me.

I'm Eddie Felson. I shoot straight pool.

Got any straight pool shooters here?

What straight pool game do you like?

The expensive kind.

You came to play pool with Minnesota Fats?

That's right.

Want some free advice?

How much will it cost?

Who are you, his manager, friend, his stooge?

He's my partner.

Well-heeled partner?

We got enough.

Take the boy home. Fats doesn't need your money.

You can't beat him.

No one's beaten him in 15 years.

He's the best in the country.

You got that wrong, mister. I am.

Okay, I told you about Minnesota Fats.

You just go ahead and play him, friend.

Tell me where I can find him, friend.

He comes in this poolroom every night at 8:00 on the nose.

Stay here, he'll find you.

You shoot a good stick.

Thank you.

Do you shoot straight pool, mister?

Now and then, you know how it is.

You're Minnesota Fats, aren't you?

They say you're the best in the country, where I come from.

Is that a fact?

Yes, sir, boy.

They say that old Fats shoots the eyes off them balls.

Where are you from?

California. Oakland.

California. Is your name Felson? Eddie Felson?

That's right.

I hear you've been looking for me.

Yeah, that's right, too.

Big John, do you think this boy is a hustler?

Do you like to gamble? Gamble money on pool games?

Let's shoot a game of straight pool.

$100?

You shoot big time pool. Everyone says you shoot big time pool.

Let's make it $200 a game.

Now I know why they call you "Fast Eddie." You talk my kind of talk.

Sausage, rack them up!

How do you feel?

Fast and loose, man.

In the gut, I mean?

Tight but good.

Willie, hang on to that.

You break.

I didn't leave you much.

You left enough.

Six in the corner.

Fifteen, in the corner.

Ace, in the side.

Eight.

Ten.

Eleven.

He is great! That old fat man.

Look how he moves. Like a dancer!

Twelve, cross-eyed.

And those fingers, them chubby fingers,

and that stroke,

like he's playing a violin.

Five ball.

Three ball.

Four long.

Cross corner.

Nice shot.

Safe.

Safe.

Seven ball in the corner.

Six in the corner.

One twenty-five, game.

Thirteen.

Five.

Ten.

Game!

Two in the corner.

Thirteen.

One twenty-five, game.

Ace in the corner.

Three ball.

Quit. He's too good.

I'm going to take him!

Your shot.

You miss?

You don't leave much when you miss, do you?

That's what the game's all about.

Mmm-hmm.

Two ball, side pocket.