Nearly lost the cue
On three different occasions I have nearly lost this cue. The last time was around 1977.
I was in a bar 20 or 30 miles south of Paducah KY called "Tuney's Seabreeze". This place was out in the country in the middle of nowhere. I never did understand the name of this place. I carefully parked my car by the glass front door underneath the entry light so I could keep an eye on it (Balabushka in the trunk, Szamboti "Sneaky Paul" in the bar).
Two o'clock rolled around and the owner turned off the entry light and the result was that I could only see a reflection from the door and could not see outside. Sure enough, ten minutes passes and it was plenty of time for thieves to shatter a window to get into the car. They attempted to punch the trunk lock but failed. I had a power trunk so it may have had something to do with it being so difficult. They then pried one side of the trunk deck up, hoping to reach down in and get any valuables.
I must have spooked them when I came out the door. I am sure they were in the act although I never saw them. The owner and the patrons all came outside and they were all very concerned and the owner apologized up and down. I had the patrons lift the side of the trunk deck that had been bent where the thieves tried to get in while I reached down in the trunk to feel for the Balabushka (to heck with the money). I felt it there! Usually it is three strikes and your out. This cue was destined to stay in my possession. The Balabushka never took another trip with me again.