|
Chapter One
The purple Cadillac thumps over the sidewalk and rumbles to a stop in
front of an alley, where Jook has spotted his estranged wife, Bursitis,
standing in the rain. He gets out of the car and hurries around to where
she stands, takes her by the shoulders, and moves her under an overhang
out of the rain. Jooks loose-fitting brown pinstriped suit turns
a darker shade in the rain, and water drips profusely from the rim of
his beat-up, black fedora hat. Jook is eighteen, short, walks with a limp,
and is blind in one eye, which is white and surrounded by scars.
Bursitis is in her early twenties; she is beautiful and buxom. On any
other day she would certainly be the most beautiful Black woman on the
planet, but in the rain her Mascara has made ugly stains down her face,
there are bruises around her eyes, and her dress is torn.
Bursitis, Jook says to her, what are you doing out here?
Where is Razor Bill?
He dont want me no more. I borrows money from him to bet against
you and lost everything. He borrows money from everybody to bet against
you and lost everything. You gots all the money in the world, now, Jook.
The young man notices something. Bursitis, do you realize thats
the first time in our lives youve called me Jook?
Oh, Baby, maybe I was wrong about your music. I just not ever listen
to it real good before. But I been standin here listenin to you play over
there at the juke; I was wrong about your music, Jook, you sounds real
good. You can play for me any time you wants.
Why didnt you come in?
I was embarrassed bout making myself such a fool. Last night I realized
the grief I been puttin you through and it make my heart low to think
of you sufferin so. Can you ever forgive me, Jook?
Bursitis, Ive been forgiving you forever. He smiles.
And youre wrong about me suffering. It was all too amusing
to get too upset about. You had me feeling low there a couple times, but
my music always pulled me out of it.
Bursitis looks both ways up and down the street, her voice becoming a
whisper. They more, Jook; they more you dont know about. When
I goes to get your guitar back from Boozer, he done went and give me the
yellow-drippy disease. I pleaded with you not to make me go over there,
but you had to have that damn guitar.
Listen, Bursitis, youve got to start taking responsibility for yourself.
Boozer done give me the yellow drippies, and I done give em to Razor
Bill. You know what that mean? That mean Bursitis gonna die. Razor Bill
say he gonna kill me when he find me. Please, Baby, please take Bursitis
back. She got nobody now, an you finally got enough money you can take
care of Bursitis the way she always knew one day you would.
Jook reaches into his pocket and pulls out a roll of thousand-dollar bills,
and stepping closer beneath the overhang, peels off a hand-full and gives
them to Bursitis. Give that to your mama, and you two move somewhere
nice. She won a lot of money, too and all together you should be able
to move anywhere you want. And dont worry about Razor Bill. Remember,
he borrowed a lot of money and lost it all. Hes going to be the
one hiding for a while. Jook wipes away some of the mascara dripping
from beneath Bursitis eyes, telling her, Look, I gotta go.
I had a good time, met some nice people, I wish you the best. Take care
of yourself. Bursitis.
Jook steps into the rain to return to his car, but Bursitis puts a hand
on his shoulder to stop him. He turns to see she is holding a large pistol,
and in her eyes is a look Jook has never seen before. She tells him, I
got nobody now, Big Moses. She corrects herself, Jook; Ill
call you Jook; hell, Ill call you any damn thing you wants if youll
take me back.
Jook tips his hat, Ill see you around, Bursitis.
The pistol is heavy and Bursitis struggles with both hands to hold it
steady. She tells him, Ifn I cant have you, Big Moses,
they not nobody gonna have you.
Jook realizes she is about to kill him, and steps back, motioning with
his hands for her to lower the gun. But it is no use, and he watches her
knuckles turn white squeezing the trigger. The phenomenon that Jook had
always heard about, where a persons entire life flashes before their
eyes just before they die; happens to him now. In a blinding flash of
scenes from his past Jook experiences each day of his life over again,
birthday partys with relatives and friends, Thanksgiving dinners
with a huge turkey and family, and opening gifts on Christmas morning.
He sees childhood friends and speaks to them, and theres even a
short scene with the old drunk who lives down behind the railroad station.
But then the last scene appears, and Jook recognized it immediately. It
is the morning he began the incredible adventure that has led to this
moment with him standing in front of the pistol. It was early morning
in early October, Jook was standing with an old woman next to an old country
road, a rutted dirt strip that meandered through northern Louisiana. At
Jooks feet is his guitar case, with a red bag of harmonicas tied
to the handle, his bedroll was laid over that, and on top was a paper
bag containing sandwiches. Standing with him is his great-grandmother,
Evangeline Cruder, and in the background his great-grandfather, Little
Moses, working beneath the hood of their old truck. Evangeline was a hundred
years old, her hair gray, her skin very black and touched with wrinkles,
and eyes that were brown and large with life. She and Big Moses had brought
Jook to the highway to see him off on his great adventure.
Well, Son, Evangeline told the boy, try to remember
the road youre traveling so youll always know your way back.
I be know my way back, Ma.
I wish you had paid more attention to your English lessons.
I cant help but talk like Pa sometime, he said. I
be work on it. They looked at each other; he smiled but she did
not. He asked, What is Pa doing with the truck engine?
Its his way of giving us time to say good-bye. I had some
things I wanted to say to you, but now I cant remember what they
were. I guess its just that it feels strange watching my boy step
out into life on his own for the firsts time like this. She paused
a moment, then asked, Will you be looking for Bursitis?
I guess so, Ma. Seems like nothing else in my life is going to matter
until I find her and see how she feels about me.
She left without a word; that should tell you something.
Yes, well, maybe she was in a hurry. And that doesnt matter;
I write songs that are perfect when Im thinking of her, and shes
in my every thought. One of these days shes going to listen to one
of my songs long enough to realize how much I love her, and then well
be happy forever.
Shes five years older than you.
Shes five years more responsible. Itll be a good move.
Oh, and by the way, my name is Jook now. I changed it because Im
going on the road as a Blues musician.
And Big Moses Cruder wasnt Bluesy enough? Honey, the Cruder
names been through Slavery and back again; how bluesy do you want
it? That name has seen pains I hope youll never have to know in
your lifetime.
Turtleneck named me Jook, Ma, the boy tried to explain. the
same day he gave me his guitar. Jook taps the case with the toe
of his shoe. It plays the most beautiful music on this earth, Ma,
it lets me go where I want to go. Its Turtlenecks music I
want to play. That old man used to sing those field calls just like he
was standing out there in the rows, and thats where I first heard
the sound I wanted to build my music around. Youre right about slavery,
and its in the sound no matter what I do. But Im going to
use the name Turtleneck gave me.
Jooks great-grandfather, Little Moses, closed the hood of truck,
and came to where they were. Little Moses was two years older than his
wife, very large and agile, and about his neck were scars from a shackle
he wore when he was young. At six-foot-four, Little Moses was still an
impressive figure. You sure you wont take Roan? he asked
his great-grandson. He be get you anywhere you be gots to go. And
longs you got Roan, you kin always get yoself a meal by plowin
somebodys field.
Dont plan to get that hungry, Pa, Jook told him. And
besides, you need the mule. I wouldnt know how to get him back to
you, and I dont intend to be feeding anyone but myself for a while.
Aspiration be got saloons, his Pa considered. Ifn
you wants to play music in a saloon, why dont you try there first.
I dont want to play Civil War songs, Pa. Its nineteen
forty-seven, I want to play the Blues, and to do that I need to go where
the Blues are being played; Memphis, New Orleans. I dont care if
not one person listening has a nickel to drop into my guitar case, if
nothing more comes of my music than it makes some little part of the world
a better place to be standing for a moment, then that would be fine with
me.
Evangeline told him, That sounds wonderful, Son. Then she
asked, So, how will you find Bursitis?
Im not sure. Shes up in Shackshanny, Mississippi somewhere;
went to stay with her mother. I know you people dont like Bursitis
very much, but I need to tell you that when I find her I intend to ask
her to marry me. Its just one of those things I believe Im
supposed to do in my lifetime.
Son, you be in love with this girl? Little Moses asked.
Every time seems like the best time, and every time its true.
The old man shook his head. Doin it like two possums out in the
cornfield not love, Big Moses. You gots to have some foundation; you gots
to have someone who always on your side. Little Moses nodded to
his wife in apology for his frankness, then put a huge hand on his boys
shoulder. Son, you know yo Ma and me never cut no words with you
about how we feel about Bursitis, but you get that gal in trouble, Son,
you not ever gonna see the light of happiness on this side of Glory again.
What I said was just making fun, Pa, Bursitis and I have never done
anything at all. But she promised me if I live long enough, I will be
rewarded.
Little Moses was not amused. Well, you just keep that sense of humor,
Boy, and youll at least die happy. So far, all she done is show
you the bottom of her shoes goin out the door. When yo money gone, she
gone.
Thats the way its been, Jook admitted. But
I know now that Bursitis was just spending all my money so that I would
go out and work even harder. She only wanted me to be my best.
I hopes you still being funny, Little Moses added. You
havin to hunt her down be a sign of what she thinks of you. Ifn
she love you, why she not standin here wid us?
I dont know, Pa. I feel she loves me but doesnt realize
it yet. Im going to try to find her so I can ask her in person,
and maybe Ill pick up a dollar or two playing music along the way.
Evangeline put her arm around her husband. Weve been over
this enough times at home to realize your mind is made up, Big Moses,
she said. But please be careful, and write.
The boy corrected her, Jook.
Ah, yes, Jook. Well, whatever name you use, Im sure you will
succeed at whatever you do. And I know that the Spirit will always be
with you.
Thanks Ma.
His great-grandfather told him, Son, I hopes someday you be find
you a good girl and spend yo life with her; I hopes you be as blessed
in that matter as I be.
I know, Pa, Jook said. Ill be working on it.
The three of them came together in a hug with their arms around each other.
Then Jook stepped back, picked up the bag of sandwiches, threw the bedroll
over his shoulder, and lifted his guitar case. Against Jooks small
stature, the guitar case seemed large. Got my guitar and my bedroll,
he said, cant think of anything else Ill need. Thanks
for everything.
Evangeline, a couple inches taller than Jook, stepped forward and kissed
him on the forehead. Good-bye, Son, well see you when you
come home for Thanksgiving; or any time you can. Bring Bursitis if you
find her; maybe theres a side to her we havent discovered
yet. Everybody deserves another chance.
Yes, they do, Ma, thanks. Jook watched the old couple go back
to their truck, get in, and with the morning sun streaking through the
pines, drive a wide circle back onto the woods road toward home. With
one last wave, they were gone. Jook stepped out on the highway and began
walking east toward Mississippi. An hour later he saw a car coming. He
put down the guitar case and stuck out his thumb.
Chapter Two
As Jook walked and hitched rides along the highway, he was following a
map of Mississippi on which he had marked out the way to Shackshanny.
After several rides he was in Mississippi, where he was now waiting at
an intersection of two paved roads. In the distance he could see a red
pick-up truck approaching. The truck was fairly new and driven by a black
man. Jook stuck out his thumb and the truck pulled to a stop.
The driver said, Looks like we goin in the same direction, friend;
you need you a ride?
Thanks, I appreciate it, Jook said, and lifted his bedroll
and guitar onto the flatbed in back. Beneath a blanket, he noticed another
guitar case stuck away. With his bag of sandwiches, Jook opened the passenger
door and climbed in.
The driver put out his hand. My names Elbow Snakeeyes.
Jook shook his hand, Jook; glad to meet you.
Elbow Snakeeyes was very tall, his head actually touching the roof of
the truck cab, he was slender, and looked to be a couple years older than
Jook. Elbow was handsome in unusual ways, with a head that was long and
a nose that covered most of his face. His big, brown eyes never seemed
to be all the way open, but always hovered half-closed. I see you
got a guitar, he said. That case most bigger n you.
Yes, I know. But I cant seem to go anywhere without it.
What kinda music you play?
I play the Blues. How about you?
Oh, I dont play. Elbow shook his head. I won that
guitar shootin pool over in Dasperville. Actually Id much rather
had the money; least then Id be able to buy gas for this here truck.
I never dreamed Id meet somebody what might can teach me how to
play the guitar.
Id be glad to show you what I can, Elbow, but Im getting
off at a crossroads up ahead; the turnoff to Shackshanny. Jook was
intrigued by this nicely dressed black man, driving a new 1947 Ford truck
across southern Mississippi. The mans shirt was clean and his jeans
were like new. That the jeans were over a foot too short for the mans
legs, and the sleeves of his shirt too short for his lanky arms, Jook
considered to be natural for a man this tall. He found Elbow interesting
immediately, and the more he listened, the more he liked him. Elbows
smile was true, and trouble of any kind seemed to be foreign to his nature.
How far that intersection? Elbow asked.
Jook had to crick his neck to look up into the mans face. According
to my map, about forty-five miles from that sign back there. But I need
to get off at the Shackshanny exit. Im looking for my girlfriend,
Bursitis.
I knew that was comin, Elbow laughed. You start talkin
the Blues, sure enough a woman bound to come up in there somewhere. Look,
I know what you should do. You need to forget all about Shackshanny and
come on down to New Orleans with me. I can make enough money shootin pool
to see we never go hungry.
Id like that, Elbow. But I have to find my girl first. My
heart can only belong to one obsession at a time, and right now its
Bursitis. She left Aspiration a week ago when her father died, and went
to live with her mother over in Shackshanny.
You think they not got no girls down in New Orleans? An how can
you say this Bursitis is your girl ifn you gotta go lookin for her?
Jook changed the subject. This is a nice truck, Elbow. How long
have you had it?
Couple hours. Its not actually mine; I borrowed it. Say, where
you get that white eye?
Cockfight gone bad.
That eye disarmin, my friend. Im sorry, but I gots to be honest.
Jook explained. The rooster I was betting on leaped over the wire
and clawed me in the eye. Never knew what happened until it was over.
Now, aint that just like life to jump over the fence and claw
you in the face.
Wasnt life, Elbow, Jook corrected him. It was
definitely the Rooster.
Elbow continued, And here you are out in the world looking for a
girl what dont sound like she wanna be found.
I should have asked her to marry me before she left home. Her father;
everything happened so quick.
Has she seen that white eye?
Yes, certainly. Jook opened the bag of sandwiches and handed
one to Elbow. He took the last one for himself. One day she told
me, Big Moses? Ill lift my skirt for you ifn you buy
me some candy. Spent all my money in one place that day, Elbow.
They both laughed at this, taking bites of their sandwiches. That
sounds like love all right, Elbow agreed. Getting serious, he told
Jook, My friend, you a fool. I thinks I known you long enough to
tell you that.
Three minutes?
I got about forty-five miles to change your mind; New Orleans with
the greatest pool-shooter in the history of Billiards, or wearin out the
soles of your shoes lookin for this phantom girl. Look, Ill tell
you what; its only forty-five miles; you help me with the gas and
Ill drive you there. Who knows; your girlfriend mighta died or something.
Jook thought about it. Well, yes, theres always that chance.
Okay, sure; Ive got about fifteen dollars.
Elbow pointed ahead, Look, theres a gas station coming up.
He pulled off the highway and stopped the truck next to one of the pumps.
From the small building came a young white man in grimy overalls, who
stepped up to Elbows window. He unscrewed the gas cap and put in
the nozzle. How much you need, Mister?
Make an even three, Friend, Elbow instructed him. And
dont spill none.
I dont spill none, the attendant responded. Only
spilled gas onced in my whole life, and that was to see if it was
possible. Mighty nice truck ya got there.
Why, thank you, Friend. She been doin me real fine.
The attendant finished pumping the gas, removed the nozzle, and placed
it back on the pump. After screwing the cap back in place, he took a five
from Elbow and counted out the change from a roll of bills in his pocket.
The attendant mentioned, Your truck looks just like one that was
stolen from the High-Sheriff over in Spitwater around noon today; same
color and everything. Deputies lookin hard for that truck. Yours has that
same dent in the roof like the Sheriffs where a limb fell on it.
Well, that is a coincidence, Elbow smiled. My dent come
from some poor fools head who wasnt mindin his own business.
The attendant laughed at this. Im just telling you sos
youll know. Sheriff Sam Smellgood is the meanest lawman what ever
lynched a nigger in Mississippi. Yaal have a nice day now, heah?
Elbow started the engine and pulled back onto the highway. After a minute
or two, Jook looked at Elbow and asked him, Theyve got a sheriff
named Smellgood?
Elbow only smiled. The truck rolled on and the miles spun steadily out
behind them, and, as the sun rolled toward the horizon, Jook sat with
his arm on the window, his chin in the crook of his arm. Mile after mile
of fields and shotgun shacks were going by, dust was rising behind men
plowing behind mules, endless white cotton and green sugar cane, wash
hung out on lines, kids playing around broken cars, and slowly the humming
of the wheels caused Jook to drift off to sleep. He found himself in a
dream in which he had finally located Bursitis, and was knocking at her
door.
Bursitis came and opened the front door. She is as beautiful as he remembers
her. How the hell did you find me, Big Moses? she asks. I
thought I done hid my tracks. She tries to push the door closed,
but Jook has it blocked with his foot.
Bursitis, wait! he can hear himself begging as he pushes his
way in. Jook sees himself falling to his knees with his hands gripping
the hem of her skirt. Bursitis, he pleads, please forgive
my selfishness, Darling, turning to my music for comfort when I should
have been crawling to you. I know you hate my music, but without you,
music is meaningless. So, Bursitis, if you want me to, Ill give
up my music for you
Ill give up my music for you
Ill
give up my music for you
Ill give up my-
Jook was suddenly shaken awake by Elbow. Are you all right?
his friend was saying. You look like you done seen a ghost.
Jook struggled to catch his breath. Im all right; just a slight
nightmare. Where are we?
Welcome to Shackshanny, Mississippi.
Jook looked around as the truck bounced over a railroad track, to find
they were entering the outskirts of a small town. The sun was almost down
and streetlights were coming on. On the other side of a railroad track,
the truck engine began to cough and sputter, and Elbow pulled to a stop
next to the curb.
Were out of gas, Elbow announced.
Jook pointed up the street. Look, theres a gas station on
the next block.
Elbow took notice. Looks like its closed; yeah, look, its
got a closed sign out front
Weve got more money, Jook pointed out, Why didnt
you get more gas?
Because I got other plans for your money, my friend, just as soon
as we find a pool hall.
Well, we can just wait here until morning. Jook suggested.
We cant do that.
Why not? You can sleep in the truck; I have my bedroll. When the
station opens in the morning, you can gas up and be on your way.
Jook, I have to tell you something; I didnt borrow this truck,
I done took it from that high-Sheriff that gas-station man was talking
about.
Jooks mouth fell open.
Elbow continued, Look, early this mornin I was walkin the same road
you was walkin, only it become humiliation to my self-respect, the dust
and the heat and all. So, just the other side of Spitwater, I looked off
across a field and there I saw this pasture with a horse standing in it;
of course, I was gonna let the horse go soon as I got to New York, or
somewhere hitchhiking stood a better chance of getting me a ride. I was
climbin over the fence to go talk it over with the horse, when I see this
pretty red truck sittin in back of a farm house.
Jook nodded expectantly, And?
And thats where I got this truck. The key was even in it
Jook could not help an audible gasp. Y-you stole this truck?
Elbow looked down at his clothes. An this shirt and pants, too.
I saw them hanging on the clothesline and grabbed them on the run. The
laws bound to be lookin for this truck by now. We need to get away
from it!
Even as Elbow said this, Jook was already out the door and gathering up
his guitar and bedroll from of the back.
Wait up, Jook, Elbow called after him, Im comin
with you.
The neighborhood looked deserted with no one around. Elbow grabbed his
own guitar from the back and ran after Jook, catching him with three strides
of his long legs. Wait up. What you worried about? We okay. Everbody
inside they houses eatin supper and listenin to their radio.
Even as he said this, a woman came out the back door of her house carrying
a garbage can, and she brought it down the steps and out to the street.
Jook instinctively stood behind a light pole with his guitar case upright
beside him, but Elbow was so tall there was nowhere he could hide. He
did a poor imitation of a light pole as the woman went back to the house.
She stopped at her door and took a long look at him before going back
inside.
I think she saw you, Jook whispered.
Saw me? Why me?
Elbow, they can see you in Sacramento.
Its too dark. That street light not bright enough.
Jook moved his guitar from one hand to the other, straightened his bedroll
over his shoulder, and began walking away from the truck as fast as his
mismatched legs would carry him.
Jook, wait up! Elbow called out, running after him. Wait
a minute! That woman didnt see me.
Elbow, I dont think its right to steal a truck.
Well, unless you got a better idea, were gonna be stealing
us another one to get outa here.
Oh, no. Im not going to steal a truck. Ill wash dishes
first.
Jook, this is the real world. In the real world you gotta steal
you a truck now and then. I think its time for Elbow Snakeeyes to
take charge of your education.
Well, look where its got me so far.
You were trying to get to Shackshanny. Well, look around you, Son;
you in Shackshanny.
Jook nodded in reluctant agreement, and looking around, noticed the railroad
track. Theres a train goes through here, he pointed
out.
Son, I said Id go to New Orleans with you, I didnt say
nothing about Canada.
Just a thought. Youre right, I dont know much about
these things. I do think we need to head further into town, ask around
and try to find Bursitis. Surely shell put us up. Shes the
reason I came here in the first place. But I wont be part of stealing
another truck. What you do is your own business, and I appreciate the
ride, but Im not going to help you steal anything.
Ill tell you what. You give me another two dollars, and Ill
buy us a truck.
The neighborhood was nice, clean, predominantly black, with several two-story
buildings in the downtown area. After wasting over an hour looking, Jook
waited while Elbow crossed the street and got directions from a store-owner
closing up his shop. When Elbow returned he told Jook, Around the
block; its called the Zuma Street Pool Hall. Noticing the
concern on Jooks face, Elbow told him, Trust me, Jook, they
nobody on this earth better at shootin pool than me. The fortunes of Kings
have trinkled through these fingers, my good man, and I can get money
anytime I get hold of a pool cue.
Even if you shoot pool half as good as you say you can, Elbow, playing
pool for money is still gambling.
Shows what you know. Truth is, the Angels in Heaven still sing about
the night the boss let em come on down here to earth to see with their
own eyes the most lethal man with a pool cue in the history of the game;
the Rack-Master, Elbow Snakeeyes.
Billiards will always have one monumental truth, Elbow, when your
money is on the table, it can vanish at the drop of a ball. And I learned
my own lesson about the evils of gambling. Jook pointed to his blind
eye.
Shootin pool is not gambling to me, Son. Its more like takin
candy from a baby.
There you go stealing again.
You cant have it both ways, little brother, Elbow told
him, leading the way. Just stand back; your education is about to
get intensified.
Around the corner they came to a doorway with a sign looming over the
sidewalk reading, ZUMA STREET POOL HALL. They entered the building with
their guitar cases in hand. The room was long and narrow, with a window
down the street side that was broken in places and covered over with cardboard.
Two men sat at a bar at the far end, drinking beer and talking quietly
with the bartender. A man was shooting pool at the first table. He was
dressed in a double-breasted black and white pin-striped suit, very sharp,
a black, wide-brimmed zoot-hat covered his eyes. As the boys entered,
he stroked the cue ball and the nine dropped with a clunk into a pocket.
Nice shot, Elbow offered.
Of course. Im the best! My names Cloven the Chosen.
Maybe you boys heard o me.
Nope,
Well, if you not heard of Cloven the Chosen, then you musta just
dropped off a potato truck. Maybe we should shoot a game and get acquainted.
No, no, not me, friend, Elbow told him. We just come
in to ask for directions. Were new in town, but we didnt fall
off no potato truck. Why would I, a complete novice at the game, want
to shoot pool with a man who, the first thing he tells me is what a great
a pool-shooter he is? You must be one of them Hustlers.
Then you have heard of me. Well, then, maybe I could shoot a game
with your friend there, how about it, Shorty; five on the five, ten on
the nine? Or are you a coward like your tall friend?
Jook knew that Elbow had some kind of plan in mind, and looked to him
for a sign but there was none. Okay, he said, setting his
guitar on the floor next to Elbows. Jook walked over to a wall rack
and went through the motions of selecting a cue, while Elbow got three
beers from the bar. He handed one to Jook and the other to Cloven the
Chosen.
Thanks, stranger, Cloven said.
Not knowing what he was supposed to do, Jook selected a cue and returned
to the table. I used to shoot a little, he told everyone,
back home in Aspiration. There was this table in back of Fitzers
grocery store. But I never played for more than a dime, and usually lost
that to the owners five-year-old granddaughter.
Cloven took a sip of his beer. Yeah, he considered, this
sounds like its gonna be a real challenge. Tell you what; Ill
play you a game of nine-ball for a dollar. Even them what falls off a
potato trucks got a dollar.
Weve got a dollar, Jook agreed, still unsure as to what
he was supposed to do. Sure, Ill play you; go ahead and break.
Cloven the Chosen hung his head. Well, well, potato truck boys.
Why dont we just skip all this hustle stuff and get right down to
shootin some pool?
Elbow understood, but Jook didnt have a clue.
Man willing to let another man break in a game of Nine Ball,
Cloven pointed out, is a man what dont know much about the
game. Cloven turned to Elbow. I think youre the ace,
tall man, so how about it? I bet you got pool chalk behind your ears.
The names Elbow Snakeeyes. And this heres Jook, the
finest blues musician in Mississippi.
Cloven grinned. Well, maybe he can play you a funeral dirge after
Im finished with him.
Elbow and Cloven both laughed at this. Jook was slightly amused, but not
to the point of laughing about anything. He took a seat in one of the
large wooden chairs against the wall, while the bartender racked the balls
and collected a nickel from Elbow. Elbow selected a cue from the wall
rack and stepped easily to the table.
Cloven the Chosen suggested, Why not we just start with a game of
nine-ball for ten dollars.
Sounds good to me, Elbow replied, looking to Jook for verification.
Jook nodded. Lifting the lapel of his coat he unpinned a ten-dollar bill
his great-grandmother had secured there, and handed it to Elbow.
Placing the bill on the edge of the table, Elbow said to Cloven, Do
I detect from your frivolity earlier, Cloven the Chosen, that you believe
yoself to be a shooter of pool?
Like the name say, string bean boy, I am Cloven, the handsomest
man in Mississippi, what been Chosen by God to whip ass of every would-be
pool shark what come down Zuma Street. Oh, by the way, you not the two
strangers that just come into town in that stolen truck, are you?
Elbow remained stone-faced, but Jook gasped out loud and stood up, ready
to run.
Hey, boys, its none o my business, but Sonny Boy, the
Deputy man from over in Spitwater, he was in here not five minutes before
you arrived, looking for a black man carryin a guitar case. Seems they
got an eyewitness who saw the man what stole Sheriff Smellgoods
truck. Sheriff Smellgoods that lawman who was in the news last year
for lynching them four niggers what had the gall to walk on the same side
of the street as a white girl. Its him who owns the truck; its
him you need to worry about. Look, dont mind me none. I was planning
on stealin that truck myself; its mighty pretty.
Jook still couldnt believe it. Youve got a Sheriff named
Smellgood?
Not us, Cloven said. Spitwater, the town where you stole
the truck, about fifty miles west of here. They got a prison there, too,
a work farm, like the one the stealer of that trucks gonna be whilin
away his time in. That is, if the Sheriff lets him live.
Jook said to Elbow, I think wed better be going. I think its
out duty to help that Deputy find the truck thief.
Cloven laughed. Look, they was just in here. That Deputy wont
be back till midnight; surely you got time for one game of nine-ball.
Elbow reminded Jook, We not goin nowhere without some travelin money,
and I can tell this gentleman got all we need.
Cloven appreciated the remark, smiled, and raised his bottle in a silent
toast.
Okay, Elbow agreed. One game of nine-ball for ten dollars.
Cloven took out a quarter and threw it onto the felt cloth of the pool
table. Go ahead and flip that; lets see who breaks.
Elbow looked at both sides of quarter, then bit it out of habit.
Cloven coughed, I dont need no trick coin to beat a country
boy like you.
Jook went back to the wooden chair, where he arranged guitar cases neatly
side by side in front so as to be able to grab them up on the run. He
took his seat.
Elbow asked, Ready? then flipped the coin.
Tails, Cloven called out.
Cloven stepped closer, and when the coin bounced to a stop he looked up
at Elbow. Heads. Go ahead and break, string bean boy, but youd
better not miss.
The tension at the table was mounting, and the men at the bar took interest
and turned around on their stools to watch. Elbow chalked his cue, laid
it lightly over the railing of the table, and broke the rack. Balls rolled
around the table, bouncing and clicking off the rails, and the nine-ball,
dropped into a far corner pocket.
Well, well, Cloven commented, I hope you dont
think that kinda lucks gonna get you by all night. Lets play
another, double or nothing.
Jook reminded his friend, Elbow, that Deputy could be back any minute.
We had twelve dollars, now weve got twenty-two. Were rich.
I think we should go.
Elbow stepped to the window and looked both directions along the street,
and came back. Okay, he told Cloven the Chosen, one
more game, double or nothing.
Jook remained in his seat, slouching as the tension weighed upon him.
The bartender returned and racked the balls, this time collecting a nickel
from Cloven. Elbow leaned back from the table and again smashed the cue
ball into the rack. This time the nine-ball slammed into the opposite
corner pocket without even bouncing around the table first. Cloven the
Chosen gasped out loud. He immediately went to the pocket into which the
nine ball had disappeared, and felt around inside the edge for a magnet
or some gimmick that would explain what he had seen. Finding nothing,
he was slightly embarrassed. Your lucks getting dumber and
dumber, aint it, Snakeman? he said to Elbow.
Thats Snakeeyes, Sir. Please dont deprive me of my daddys
namesake.
Well, I want another game, Cloven insisted. One more
game, double or nothing!
Jook, the eternal voice of wisdom, said to Elbow, Forty-two dollars,
Elbow. Thatll get you all the way to New Orleans.
I want another game, Cloven demanded. One more game,
double or nothing!
Elbow told him, Look, friend, I never said I wasnt the best.
Truth is, Ive never lost a game of pool in my entire life, except
once when I was in the Convent. But I was only six, and them Nuns cheat
like sonsabitches. Elbow paused a moment, then nodded to Cloven.
Okay, one more game. But this has to be the last.
Cloven took four tens from his pocket and laid them on the railing with
the other bills. I believe the break is yours.
Elbow stepped to the table, chalked his cue, but as he lay his cue over
the railing, Cloven leaned closer and said quietly, Oh, by the way,
Snakeman, I dont think I mentioned this, but Im needin my
money to buy my Sweetie a bottle of wine and a engagement ring. It was
in my plans tonight to propose marriage to my woman, and allow her full
time what I been rationing out a little bit at a time. And if you take
the rest of my money, I wont be able to do that. So, heres
a little something extra on top of our wager; the next time you sink that
nine ball, Im gonna slit your throat.
Jook sat upright in the chair. He stepped down and picked up both guitars,
ready to run, and was amazed when Elbow laughed in the mans face.
There was a flash of metal beneath the pool table light, and Elbow was
suddenly holding a huge, open straight razor to Cloven the Chosens
throat. Elbow said, Theres other ways to get out of this game
besides losin, my friend.
Immediately there was the sound of a shotgun slamming shut, and the bartender
approached the table with the gun leveled at them. You two gonna
have trouble, youd best take it out back.
Jook was all the way to the door with both guitars in his hands, the bedroll
over his shoulder, hissing back for Elbow to run.
But Elbow had surmised correctly that at this point everyone in the place
wanted see how this game was going to end. Okay, Cloven, my man,
he agreed, We finish this game, then me and my friend herell
go help that Deputy find that truck-thief. That agreeable to everybody?
Cloven nodded, as Elbow slid the straight-razor back into his shoe and
picked up his cue.
Cloven was resigned to his fate and watched helplessly.
Elbow had no intention of losing, but instead of sinking the nine on the
break, this time he sank only one ball, then another, and another. But
he soon felt Jooks anxiety, and decided to bring the show to an
end. Moving from one ball to the next, he sank three balls in three seconds,
leaving the nine perched in front a side pocket. Cloven hung his head
in despair, as the cue ball bounced around the table and stopped directly
in front of the nine. Elbow set his cue deftly across his thumb, and with
the coolness of ice, and the concentration of the supreme hustler, Elbow
Snakeeyes flicked the pool cue forward.
April 4th, 2007. If you enjoyed
the sample chapters of Jook and would like to read the entire novel, I
will send the full digital manuscript, free. Subject your message: Jook
- Manuscript
CONTACT
This book has thirty more chapters.
Copyright,
Rudy Young, 2007
Back
to JOOK page
Back
to MUSIC page
Looking
for a Publisher
|