She was still a brat but Mark wanted to see if Kandy would be an asset before he made a decision on them as a team.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff"> "Kandy, I don't think you understand what I was saying.  If I told you right now to go lay in the back seat, it might be for your protection or mine but I would expect you to do it first and have me explain why later.  If you started to argue or make me explain first then by the time you understood the reason, it might be too late.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">"The same could be said if I wanted to check into a hotel as a married couple instead of brother and sister or the other way around.  I don't plan to do anything to harm you but I know people and play people.  I don't cheat or steal but if someone will bet me more money on a pool game thinking they may win a kiss from you on top of the money then I may throw in that kiss as an incentive.  I don't plan on losing the bet.  I guess in theory I could but you have to trust me and go along with things.  Eventually we will have worked together enough that it will come naturally or you may play along with a whine back or a tease that I should be careful because he might kiss better than me but you will have to learn to read people too.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">"I was born in Tennessee up in the foothills of the Appalachians.  My ma died when I as little and my pa died a few years back.  He did things for people and those same people pay me to drive for them.  There are laws that prevent certain things from moving around the country but I move them and get paid well to do so.  When I’m not driving, I indulge in the local scene enjoying the card games, pool rooms, bars and women.”</span><br/><br/>They were pulling into a town that looked to be a good spot to set up for the evening.  They were about a hundred miles from where Mark had found Kandy.  They drove passed the pool hall and around the block to get some idea of the roads in town in case the need emerged for a quick get-away.<br/><br/>Pulling up to the curb around the corner, Mark looked over at Kandace and said,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff"> “We are going to go in and play pool.  I want to see how good you are.  I may try to teach you some things.  Don’t worry if I miss a few here and there.  I only want to be good enough to beat the guy I’m playing.  If we play teams just do your best.  I don’t want you to miss anything on purpose.  That may come over time but for now you are my girlfriend.  We are going to visit your grandparents Oklahoma and just stopped to get out and stretch our legs and have some fun.  Today we will split what we make 50/50 so you will have some walking around money.”</span><br/><br/>With that they got out of the car and he took her hand as they walked up the street and into the pool hall.  There were a few people around but it was still early.  Mark walked up to the counter and talked to the man about renting a table for him and his girlfriend.  When he was given a set of balls, they walked over to the table and found some pool cues.  He racked the balls and started to play with Kandy.<br/><br/>She wasn’t horrible but on par with most of the other people that play occasionally for fun.  Mark smiled as she bent over the table.  He knew that ass would be an asset in drawing in fish to play against.  They were on their third game when two locals walked over to enjoy the view and asked if they wanted to play a game as teams.<br/><br/>After a pause to think, Mark said,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff"> “We are just messing around.  Suzy has only played a few times but I play almost every week at my Pa-pa’s house.  It wouldn’t be worth your time.  I’m Billy by the way and this is my girlfriend, Suzy.”<br/>
</span><br/>The taller one with the crooked nose replied,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffa64d">“My name is Jim and that is Phil.  We could play for fun or we could bet a dollar.  That might make it worth our time.”</span><br/><br/>The hook had been set but Mark didn’t answer the man.  Instead he looked to Kandy.  He said,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff">“Suzy, what do you think, I told you how I beat all the cousins at Sunday dinner.  We can afford it, your ma gave us that twenty.  It might be fun.”</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffff"></span>