Back in the 60s Titanic Thompson,a hustler of some repute for many years and many games,golf,skeet,poker,pool, had us something special in Las Vegas,but one obstackle stood in the way. Afella by the name of Johnny Ervolina,another well known pool player,was always at the room where our intended opportunity was to occur.
Titanic said "Johnny will probably open his mouth and ruin the whole thing for us.Maybe intentionally or maybe by carelessness. At this time it was not uncommon for someone to say something like "Well fellas,you just aren't going to believe who just walked in the front door"Thats Titanic Thompson the famous hustler,you don't want to mess with him"or some other braga dossish remark that would bring attention to his wisdom,supposed in most cases ruining a n otherwise sure score.
Our first thought was ,well lets cut Johnny in for a piece of the action.Trouble was,back then and today as well,you just cut into your own take and the new partner could also queer the whole thing when he began to act out of character.I could probably write a book about the way an inexperienced semi smart could give away the play. He whispers into the wrong ear, he bets big with confidence acting non chalont and on and on.
Well something had to be done or we couldn't go to Vegas with any degree of certainty that our victory would be profitable as it should,or that it would come off at all.
Finally Titanic came upon the expedient that made the score come to fruition.From Love Field in Dallas ,Titanic purchased tickets for Johnny to come to Dallas for a big game,a call was made to Johnny informing him that tickets to Dallas in his name,reservations at the Hote and $300 cash was in an envelope heade his way. All Johnny had to do was get on the plane,fly to Dallas,check in the hotel,wait till we comtacted him,enjoy the food and more money was available if it took longer than we thought,but above all not to go to the cotton bowling pallace until we informed him of the whole plan.
So Johnny gets on the plane,goes to Dallas and checks in,as we fly to Vegas with the security that the new score right in Johnny's backyard will come off with no unintended circumstances.
Years later in Freddies Cuetophia,long after I had forgotten all about this little episode,Johnny was holding court around the pool tableTitanics name is mentioned and Johnny says to me "You know one time I was here at the pool room,I get a call to come to Dallas,the tickets and thousands of dollars for my part are in an envelopew,I go to Dallas ,have a great week and ..
