I am pretty sure the last time I saw Mike was in the mid-90s 95-97. My wife and I managed the Thunderbird Lodge in downtown Chico, CA. Team players in Chico was on most players map. The room owner, Jeff made his money in the stock market and made it known that he did not mind gambling $10,000 on Charles. Charles had his own money and would gamble. I had watched Charles gamble up a couple thousand of his own money more than once.
We comped rooms to pool players. Out of respect.
So Mike comes into town with a player named................John Smith. No really! One pocket wizard.
We checked them into a room and I explained the lay of the land to Mike. Told him who Charles was and how he thought one pocket was his secret game. Told him the owner was always in on Sundays around noon. Mike had some killer green from Seattle with him also. Lots of crystals. Oh yea where was I? My advice was start with 9 ball then let Charles change the game. Last word was don't be seen talking to me.
Sunday morning, Charles is on his table. In walks John......looks around walks up to Charles and asks to play some one pocket. $10 was the bet...........John Smith proceeds to lay down the best one pocket I have ever seen, winning 10 straight.
About half way through the debacle Mike comes over to my table and sits down just shaking his head and muttering. "Might as well just head straight to Hard Times in LA, throw open the doors and shout,'who wants to gamble.'"
