Mark, the Professional

Chapter 4 What A Game!

On hearing Mark’s declaration, the boy stared at Mark and everyone turned to look. A few seconds later, someone burst out laughing. “i***t. He must be new.”

Another followed, “Haha… he had no idea what he is doing.”

“Look at him. He probably doesn’t even know how to hold the cue. Hahaha…”

They didn’t laugh at Mark for no reason because they had learned their lessons from experience. When they first came here to play, they were as confident as Mark, if not more, and they ended up losing their money as well as their face. They remembered that they were once just as naïve as him.

However, Mark paid them no attention. He sat down quietly, ordered a whisky and waited. Before long, a crowd started to gather around the table and the manager went up to the stage with a microphone. A spotlight shone on him. “A wonderful match is about to start today.” He announced with a proud grin. “Let’s see if anyone is going home with ten times the money they brought with them today.”

The crowd cheered.

“Excuse me!” Mark interrupted. He raised his hands up and shouted aloud. “Excuse me, may I make a suggestion here?” He went up to the stage and took the microphone from the manager. “To save time, I shall compete with the other ten players first, defeat them, then play with the boss.” He said matter-of-factly.

“Who do you think you are?!”

“Don’t be too cocky, young man!”

Some shouted from the crowd and some pointed their middle finger at him.

Mark smiled calmly and added, “If I lose, I, Mark Jackson, will pay for all your drinks tonight.” Now the crowd was pleased, thinking that it was some rich guy having too much money to spend anyway.

“That’s more like it!” Someone responded with excitement and mocked, “We thank you in advance, Mr. Jackson. Cheers.”

“Good luck, Mr. Jackson.”

Mark didn’t give a damn about how the crowd thought of him. He threw the microphone back to the manager and went to the snooker table. He picked two cues and put one down on the table.

A guy with glasses stepped out from the crowd and picked up the cue. “You break.” He said calmly as he chalked up. He looked like an experienced player.

Mark accepted the offer and started the game with a wonderful break. It was of the perfect speed and power. Three red balls went into the pockets. It was obvious that he had already won half the game. The challenger looked surprised.

Mark moved assertively and accurately. He pocketed the black with his second strike, then another red ball. As if he was a programmed robot designed for the game, he played emotionlessly and cleared the table within minutes. When Mark pocketed the last black ball, the man broke down. He had not even made a move! “I’m here to play, not to watch!” He cursed.

The crowd was watching silently, too shocked to utter a word. He’s f*****g brilliant. He’s like a machine. God damn it! They thought.

The judge reset the table. Mark glanced around and asked, “Who’s next?” By then, a large group of people had gathered in the club and most were there for the hope of free liquor. Some good-looking girls were watching with interest, finding Mark rather charming with his confidence and his skills of a perfectionist.

A few more players accepted the challenge, but, same as the first player, they hardly had the chance to use the cue at all. The rest simply gave up. The boss had been watching carefully and he grew concerned, though he didn’t show his worries.

He had never lost a game, yet he knew very well that if he made just one tiny mistake, the game was over.

It had never been so busy at The Club. It was packed. Everyone watched with excitement. When Mark pocketed the last black ball and finished the game, the crowd cheered. It was 69-68. He won by just one point. What a game!

Mark smiled and saluted to the crowd. He went up to the stage and took the prize. Just as he was to leave The Club, a middle-aged man with a kind face came up to him. “Good day, sir. I’m Billy Lao. Nice to meet you.” He said politely and put his hand out for a handshake.

Billy Lao was the sole investor and owner of The Club. He didn’t plan of going to The Club today. When he heard that some young man had promised to pay for everyone present, he thought that it was probably just some kid from a rich family looking for fun, but then he was told that this young man had defeated all the ten players and was playing against the boss, he realized that it wasn’t so simple.

“I’m Mark Jackson. Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Lao?” Mark didn’t shake his hand but looked at him cautiously.

“Would you like to play a game with me, Mr. Jackson? I’ve always been very partial to snooker since I was a kid.” Billy said.

“I’m in a hurry,” Mark replied indifferently and intended to leave.

“If you win, you get one million pounds from me.” Billy offered. He didn’t seem annoyed by Mark’s attitude. He looked kind and calm.

It had been a very long time since he met someone who could really play. He simply wanted to have a good game.

“I’m really in a hurry. I have to go now.” Mark said honestly.

“Come on, young man, what’s more important than walking away with an extra one million pounds? I’m sure it can wait.”

“Some creepy stalker is spying on my wife. God damn it!” Mark cursed. He was actually annoyed. “Now, would you please excuse me?!”

“Ah. I shall be able to help. Do you know who it is?” Billy said sincerely.

“Not yet. But it’s all in here!” Mark took out the device he snatched from under the brakes of Kate’s car from his pocket and showed it to Billy.

On the sight of the device, Billy almost gasped. It seemed like he had recognized it and possibly knew who it belonged to.