Billiards In Rialto

Article 025.

The entry to the saloon was narrow. Immediately as you get in, on the right is the bar and a few tables on the left. At the back half of that were two non-standard sized pool tables. Far right was a Boxer Glove Punching machine, which frankly is a bit out of place for the setting, and some bar stool tables where we situated ourselves. Running the bar all by herself, was this middle-aged pixie-cut blonde Linda, bad teeth but wearing a push-up bra underneath her green tank top, enough for guys to find her somewhat alluring. An old black fella, Eddie, immediately got into the fray of playing anyone from our group as we about to hop on the remaining open billiard table. It was a few minutes after 5 and the table is free until the top of the hour. A dollar per play afterwards. It was dark in there. Not too crowded and predominantly a younger audience. The men’s room was as tidy as it could be, enough to relieve yourself without grossing out. The front and back doors were kept open allowing the air to breeze through the entire place. It got crisp.

Howard invited me to hang out and play billiards with his co-workers. I was relunctant in the beginning as I was a bit flustered still from last night's pricey but nevertheless fun evening of seafood and libations. He was in the middle of convincing me to go when I got an unexpected call from a good friend I have not heard from awhile. I had that puzzled look seeing her Caller ID on my phone. Howard told me to pick up. She said there was really no reason why she was calling but I know that's not the truth. Given our history, there can't be no reason. I tried to pry but she didn't say much. I have some inclination but decided to just let it be. After a few pleasantries, we hung up. I wish we could be friends in perpetuity but have long accepted that it's not in the cards. Too bad. I know for sure we would've been awesome friends. She sent me a clip of her watching this band Freestyle singing their hit This Time [https://youtu.be/ua3jxr3vonU?si=f-TgCo1i7HGhZtWi]. Now I'm on a Last-Song-Syndrome and been playing it excessively. To be clear, I'm not dedicating it to her but just appreciating a very well composed song. Anyway, I'm still wildly startled by that incident but immediately called back my best bud. Still undecided at this point if I wanna join him. He told me that we still need to celebrate this stewing low-key development happening in the background with my life (saving that for a future blog lol). So him saying that, it only took a little egging to get me driving an hour out to Fontana. Traversing through the I-10 was pretty smooth and surprisingly quick. I got to Howard's about a quarter before 2, enough time to rendezvous with the two other guys at the meeting spot. He said it's all good, he moved the time to 230. And there I was ready to risk a speeding ticket to make it on time. A little heads up would've been nice, just saying pal (smiley).

Rialto had a small town feel. Nestled in the heart of San Bernardino county, I guess it's not as surprising. I haven't been so I have no idea how the city is. The traffic was easy but uncertain if it's because it's a Saturday and in the middle of the afternoon. I can't recall the last time I've seen parking spaces in the middle of I believe is their main street. That usually is an indication of an old town. The first billiard spot we went to was a bit modern though. It had four billiard tables, a working AC, a pretty cute young server but the wife-owner was a bit too OCD in cleanliness, if you ask me. Unfortunately for us, there was a tournament going on. Howard's co-workers, Vic and Nelson, weren't that eager to find another spot and play. So everyone decided to stay a bit, watch the match-ups and have a pitcher of beer. Three pitchers and a basket of nachos later, they finally decided to move next door to the Linda-ran pub.

Vic and Nelson are both over retirement age but are still working for whatever financial reason they need to. Typical American retirees. Vic is a bit over his head and hogs the conversation a tad too much. Nelson had the same tendencies but could not overshadow Vic in that arena. Only one can be the alpha, right? Howard and I were just chill. Lending our ears to near bleeding. Nelson and Howard took turns playing with Eddie so I pretty much took the magnitude of Vic's elaborate glory day stories. I fear my day will come when I will be as cocky as Vic and force my stories to unassuming patrons (am I not already with this blog?). The other billiard table was free so I took the opportunity to leave Howard with Vic and started hitting the cue ball. I was doing pretty good, looking very accurate with my shots. Vic and Nelson noticing and saying I had game. For some reason, everytime I get buzzed, I play really good pool. My nerves are calm and my hands are very steady, close to almost being a Drunken Master. But play me sober and I could not even hit a really close straight to the pocket shot if my life depended on it. It's not really my sport. Drinking probably, if it was a sport. I went back to the group and all that listening to Vic was all worth it. He said he'll take care of the bill. He ordered another mug of Modelo and I an 805.

Howard and I had a few more beers at his place to finally celebrate the reason why he got me all the way out there to meet him. It's a seed at this stage. Needs a continuous showering of TLC and lots and lots of patience, which I really have a lot of lately. So we shall see if it pans out. I am so not in a rush for a relationship. I don't think I can afford it even if I wanted to lol. We used the TV remote controls as microphones as we sang again to love songs via YouTube. Just pathetic, poignant and happy as we always have, with Howard's hopeless romantic persona kinda rubbing off on me. It was about to hit midnight so like in true artist-performing-at-a-concert fashion, I say after my last song, "Good night Rialto!" Or Fontana. I mean they say San Bernardino cities just all look alike. Oh I hope this don't leak out. I'm gonna get cancelled with that statement.

 

Rack 'em up!