Lou..I must say, that you are acting just like the few pro's you are trying to describe!..You are taking Fats
way too seriously!..I think most of his peers took him with a grain of salt, and most were actually amused at his shenanigans!.. I only knew of a few, (DD for one) who were really turned off by his grandiose, exagerated stories of his many exploits!
Yes, he was an 'opportunist' who capitalized on the 'Hustler' movie, and the media helped him immensely!..He was also the only one with the moxie and the balls to run with that, and make a good living with it for most of his life!...He was also, without a doubt, the most colorful figure in pool history, and I don't understand why you don't want to give him his due?.
PS..in your clever post #123, I can't make out the person you are exchanging the C-notes with? (is that me? did I win?

)
..Oh wait, I get it now..Its supposed to be Barton isn't it?...
I'm telling! 
..He'll be all over you..AGAIN!