Willie Mosconi, Johnny Archer and Earl Strickland are standing at the throne of heaven. God looks at them and says, “Before granting you a place at my side, I must ask you what you believe.
God looks at Willie and asks: “what do you believe?”
Willie thinks long and hard, looks God in the eye, and says, “I believe in hard work, and in staying true to family and friends. I believe in giving. I was lucky, but I always tried to do right by my fans.
God can’t help but see the essential goodness of Mosconi, and offers him a seat on his left.
Then God turns to Archer and says, “What do you believe?”
Johnny says, “Win or lose, I believe passion, discipline, courage and honor are the fundamentals of life. Like Willie, I believe in hard work. I’ve been lucky too, but I’ve always tried to be a true sportsman, both on and off the table.”
God is greatly moved by Johnny’s modest southern eloquence and offers him a seat at his right and a piece of pie.
Finally, God turns to Strickland : “And you, Earl, what do you believe?”
Earl replies, “I believe you’re in my seat.”