"I actually do want a drink." Having already won was clearly not enough; he wanted to win by more. So he reached for the final ball, leaned down, and aimed for the 50-point ring. This time the multiple bounces did him no good. The ball pinged off the 10-point boundary and skittered off into the gutter. He spread his hands, laughing at his own well-timed ill luck. "Good thing I kept that lead," he said. "So let's see. I'll take another bourbon -- a double sounds good, but you can be more generous if you want -- and then we can see what else we can get into." He mirrored her posture, arms folded at his chest, the red stone in his ring flashing in the light. "How's that sound?"