What Happened: It’s boy’s night out at the billiards hall. Karellen and O’Brien vs Mustapha Mond and Wintermute. All agreed to a best three out of five games. Game 1: Wintermute sinks the 8-ball way ahead of schedule; it’s 1-0 Karellen and O’Brien. Game 2: Karellen sinks the 8-ball on schedule, but in the wrong pocket; score tied at one all. Game 3: Mustapha Mond and Wintermute mop the floor with Karellen and O’Brien, 2-1 for Mond and ‘Mute. Game 4: Remarkably similar to Game 3; Wintermute and Mustapha Mond win! Later, in a bitter fit of poor sportsmanship, Karellen tells lies about the final results at the bar because he has no integrity whatsoever. O’Brien grieves for the soul of his team-mate, and cries quietly in his beer.
What Really Happened: Mustapha Mond and Wintermute sit waiting for Karellen to show up. All of a sudden, “Staying Alive” starts blaring from the jukebox. Karellen walks in just as the line “Well you can tell from the way I use my walk I’m a woman’s man” comes on. He walks over, says; “Flip the coin. Heads.” The coin is flipped. Heads lands face up. Wintermute racks the balls. Karellen chalks, blows the extra off and winks at Mustapha Mond. Knocks the 8-ball in off the break. “Rack ‘em.” Wintermute, now noticeably nervous, puts the quarters in and racks them again. The first chorus of “Staying Alive” is playing at this time. Karellen twirls his cue and knocks the 8-ball in off the break again. “One more time.” Wintermute is too frightened, so Mustapha Mond racks the final set of balls. “Thanks suga,” Karellen exclaims as he releases the final cue ball and sinks the 8-ball off the last break. “And now, there’s only one thing left to do. Strut.” Karellen walks the sexiest walk ever, even sexier than John Travolta’s, and turns back one time to wink at Mustapha Mond again. By the time the last “Stayin’ Alive” is sung, Karellen is out the door. O’Brien grieves for the soul of his team-mate, and cries quietly in his beer.
What Actually Happened: Karellen is rolled in by a crew of twenty several hours before the match begins. By the time O’Brien has shown up, Karellen is sobbing over the table. “I can’t do it, I just can’t!” He has been trying to lift himself off the stool the whole time. “Don’t worry so much, I’ll get you a drink” offers O’Brien. “Okay thanks, make it a triple Johnnie Black. Here’s some money.” O’Brien looks at the greasy wad of cash and says “Um, this one’s on me…”. Just then “Staying Alive” starts blaring on the Jukebox. Wintermute and Mustapha Mond walk in, wearing all red patent leather. They stop to pose as photographers snap photos. They walk over to the table and say “We break.” Karellen, sitting at the table alone, says “Okay, just please don’t hurt me!” Mustapha Mond racks as he laughs in disgust and amusement at Karellen’s attempts to stand up. Wintermute knocks in the 8-ball off the break. “Your turn,” he says as he passes the cue to Mustapha Mond. The chorus of “Staying Alive” is playing. O’Brien shows up with several drinks in his arms. “These are pity whiskeys from everyone at the bar for you, Karellen.” Karellen greedily grabs the glasses and starts chugging. O’Brien puts the quarters in and racks. By the time the triangle is off the balls, Mustapha Mond has sunk the 8-ball in and the second game is won. He blows the extra chalk off the cue and winks at John Travolta, who is sitting in the corner. He says “You take the last one, Wintermute. Pity we can’t embarrass that lard ass more.” “Yeah, he’ll probably be asleep in a pool of his own vomit by the end of the night,” Wintermute responds. “I gossa be homes ta watchin debazze cause I’s a good Christian,” Karellen manages to slur as Wintermute sinks the third 8-ball off the break in a row. He throws the cue to O’Brien, who helps him into his red patent leather jacket, and the three of them strut out as the final chorus to “Stayin Alive” is played. Karellen passes out in a pool of his own vomit. No one grieves for his soul.
