in a knee-jerk response of vigilance after a thousand cautionary tales from my mother based on true stories from reader 's digest , i took in little details about him for the police report i 'd probably never have to file - tallish , dirty-blond hair , midthirties , beat-up work boots , jeans , dark t-shirt , a few days ' of beard growth on his face - and then i looked away and made my way over to the pool table , where doug was chalking his cue .