8 ball

It was a cold,snowy,Chicago night,what night isn't.Jerry Phils had just settled into Little Jackie's Pub.Jerry was a well-mannered man.He had curly black hair that was usually covered up by a hat of some sort and he always wore clothes dressy and tidy.He came to Jackie's every Wednesday and Saturday.The small pub had three billiard tables and one dart board.Jerry was one of the local pool shark in the are they he lived.Many of the other players from the neighborhood knew him,liked what he did.Jerry didn't play for the love of the game like many others did.He played for cash,jewelry,and any other valueable thing he could get his paws on.He wasn't a poor man though,he made a very descent living as a lawyer.It was more the thrill of gambling that Jerry loved.He loved how it was never a set thing.It was not pre-planned.It was not goofed.Just complete chance.It was like a high when he won and a determination when he lost.

”How late you gonna be here Jerr?” asked Jackie,the owner and manager.”I ain't leavin' 'til I get a descent game in. .”Well,that could be a while then.We haven't had a good player in since about four days ago.” ”I guess I'll be here for a while then,won't I?” They both laughed and carried on with their conversation,which isn't really as important as what happened during their conversation..In the middle of them talking,a man walked in.This man was tall,not lanky though,but large and firm.He was wearing a long brown trench cloak and a bowlers hat.Neither of them said a word to him,they had no idea who he was.

He just walked over to the dusty,tobacoo ridden pool tables.Racked up the balls and began to play.Jerry aproached him and asked”You good?” It took the man a while to answer,well,how into the game he was.”Depends on what you mean by good.” ”Well you know,good at the game,billiards.” Jerry replied.”I'm not too shabby.”The way this man spoke was very odd.It was low but with a high ring to it.There was also almost the sound of gargling.His very voice intimidated Jerry.Jerry was about to offer him a game when he was struck with a sense of fear.He couldn't quite put his finger on it,but something was not good about this man.”I'm gonna just go home Jackie,” Jerry said ”the wife and I are gonna watch a flick tonight.” He was lying out his teeth with that one.Him and his wife haven't watched a flick together for 2 years.Don't get me wrong,they didn't mind each other,it's just Jerry's job exhausts him and by the time he's home,he's out cold on the couch.Don't ask how he could play pool on Wednesday and Saturdays though,thats something I still don't understand.

Jerry was driving home when he saw the man from the pub walking across the street.He drove up to him.”Hey you're the guy from Jackie's ain't ya?” Jerry says from out his car window.”Uhmm yes,yes,yes I am.” he says very hasty and out of breath.”Hey somethin' the matter buddy?”Jerry asks.”No!Just leave,just get outta here.” When he pulled away the headlights flashed on the man's face.He had never seen this man's face before.In the pub,the hat he was wearing cast a shadow down his face.But when he saw his face it looked as if half of it was gone.It looked like a skeleton's face.The image burned into the back of Jerry's mind and haunted him since.He was shaking.Could hardly keep his hands on the wheel.”Maybe it was snow,it is snowing awful bad tonight.” And it was but highly unlikely that it was snow that caused his face to look like that.Jerry was very off that night.He couldn't breathe well,and his very thinking was perverted.Instead of going home he decided to go and sit in a park.

He drove into a park and just kind of sat and thought for a while.He felt sick and thought he was going to vomit.”Am I going mad?” he was thinking.He could'nt understand how one image could disturb him so badly.”There is no way,there is simply no way.”he was saying to try and reassure himself.

He drove home and walked in the door.Took off his jacket and threw it into the closet.”Hey Jerry,how were the tables?”,his wife asked.”Amber,can I tell you something?” ”Sure,what is it?” ”Well,I know this sounds stupid but...” He couldn't quite say it and looked around the room for an excuse.He saw the clock and remembered she had asked him to fix it the other night.”Well,dear,I forgot to fix the clock like you asked.” ”Is that all?That's no problem.” ”Oh,well then,that's good.” He said this then went into his room.Amber,his wife was concerned.He was'nt acting quite normal.She just thought never mind and continued reading the magazine she was reading.

He,as you could guess,could not sleep that night.He didn't know if he had seen a ghost,if the man was involved in an accident,he didn't know what to think.He managed to fall asleep by 3:30 A.M.The sound of the pitter-patter of snow and hail on the windows didn't help his cause much.That night,he had a dream one could never forget.In his dream,he and the man were playing a game of pool.Every time the man would sink a ball,Jerry either felt ill or parts of his body ached.Every time Jerry sunk a shot though the pain and suffering went away.The alarm clock rings,it is now morning.7:00 A.M. To be exact.”Oh my,I gotta be at the court room by 7:45,I got a case today.” he thought.He was in the shower,just trying to wake up when the image of the man's face spontaniously jumped into his mind.His arms and legs locked up and he fell to the floor.Amber busted open the door,and with a tooth-brush in her mouth yelled,”Jerr,are you okay?” It took him about 5 seconds to respond.

”Yeah,I'm fine,just slipped.” ”Oh.You sure you're alright?” ”Yeah,I am,I'm good”.He didn't know why the image had him so terrified.He thought of it as if the man was cloaked in darkness,and shadowed in death.Wandering hopelessly searching for life.It needed life.Like feed,it needed life.Every time he thought of it,his stomach churned and teeth chattered.He wanted to throw up.Jerry went to the court room and sat down next to his client.His client was a small,middle-aged woman.Her name was Josie Greens,but she prefered everyone,and I mean everyone,call her Ms.Greens.”Are you alright,Mr.Phils?You look kind of nervous,” Jerry turns and says,”Oh yes,I'm quite alright,just a rough night last night.” ”Well,I don't want you blowing this case,you hear.” She was a very stern woman.”Yes,we shall win this case.I've been working on it for days.” ”Okay,good.” The judge enters the room.Slams the gavel and says “We will now be hearing to the case of Ms.Greens vs. the defendant Mr.Fords.Ms.Greens,you may begin.” ”Yes your honor.Three weeks ago,Mr.Fords and myself were out selling baked goods.We made a respectable profit,but when I went to make a deposit the night after,the account was empty.I have reason to believe that Mr.Fords,while out selling,reached into my purse while I was excused and took out much of my bank information and used to access my account and retrieve money that I had rightfully earned.” ”Mr.Phils,is this claim true?” Yes your honor it...” There it was,in his mind,the image of the mans face.The death that had been haunting his conscience for hours now.He tried to continue with what he was saying,but collapsed to the floor.

”Mr.Phils,what's the matter?” Many in the room sprang up from the seats.One of them ran up to him to check if he was breathing.He was,he was just hyper-ventilating and murmmuring things.He finnaly realized what a fool he was making of himself and asked if he could be excused to the restroom.

~ ~ ~

He was looking at himself in the mirror and splashing cold water in his face.He left without warning anyone and went straight to Jackie's.He didn't really care about the case.His mind had seemed to of been perverted or disturbed by the sight he saw,so he was not at all thinking correctly.He enters the pub.Jackie was in the back at the time counting supplys,so Jerry just racked up and starting playing a game by himself.

“Jerry!” Jackie yelled from across the room.Jerry jumped and bumped his side on the table.”Oh,it's you Jackie.I thought you were in the back.” ”I was,I just finished counting today's supplies.Somethin' wrong?” ”Actually,yeah there is.Do you remember that guy that was in here last night,the one that was playin' a game when I was leavin'?” ”Course I do,seemed like a nice fella.” ”Did you see his face by any chance?” ”Well Jerry,to be honest,no I didn't.That hat he was wearin' made it to hard to see it,Why?” ”Oh,well last night I was drivin' home.I was just about to turn onto 12th,when I saw him crossing the road.Well,we mingled around a bit and I was about to pull away.When I flashed my headlights on him,well,his face was...was...oh gosh,I gotta go to the restroom”.He ran to the bathroom.Just talking about it made it seem that much more real.He lifted the toilet seat,thought he was going to throw up.Nothing was coming out however.”What did you see Jerry?What's makin' ya like this?”,Jackie was asking.”His face looked like it was half there.Looked like he had a half a skull for a face.And,yes.Yes.Half of his body was decaying.I saw it.I swear I saw it.But why?Why?” He was now soaking the floor with tears of anger,pain,and frustration.”Just calm down,okay?Let's play a game of billiards.Get your mind off of it.” ”That sounds good Jackie.

So he pulled him up off the bathroom's floor.”You break,Jerry.” ”Alright,like old times.” ”Just like old times,Jerr.” They were now playing a game of 8 ball like they normally would.In fact,everything started to seem alright.Jerry and Jackie had been good friends for along time.They met their senior year in high school.Jerry wasn't into billiards back in those days,but Jackie was.Jackie was the one that got him into the game.Jackie taught him everything he knows about the game.The game was almost over.Jerry was left with the 3 ball and Jackie had to finish off the 11 and 12 ball.Their game was interrupted by a phone call though.”Little Jackie's Pub,how can I help you?”,Jackie says answering the call.

Yes,I was in your bar yesterday and I met a man.I believe he was wanting to play a game with me.Is he there?” ”Do you mean Jerry Phils?” “I don't know his name but I might recognize his voice.Put this Jerry on the phone please.” ”Jerr,it's for you.” Jackie says,handing Jerry the phone.”Jerry Phils speaking.” ”It is you.Hi my name is D.Ukavich.I believe you were about to offer me a game last night.” ”Uhhh,I was thinkin' 'bout it,how'd you know?” ”I have a certain thing with things like that,I can tell a good pool shark when I see one.” ”Oh I see.Look,I've been meanin' to ask ya,are you alright.You were actin' like somethin' was the matter last night. ”Oh,yes.I was just,well,you know,just tryin' to get home before my kids went to sleep”.”Oh,you got kids?” ”Course I do,who don't?” Mr Ukavich says with a bit of a chuckle behind it.The small laugh behind his sentence was very strained and forced.Jerry wasn't sure what to think.He couldn't at all imagine such a creature to have children,let alone have a wife.”So,about that game?” asks Mr.Ukavich.”Well,sure,sure.Why not?But I must ask,my good man,do you play for the love of the game,or do you like to get a little risky with it?” ”Now you are speaking my language Mr.Phils.” ”Ah,I know a gambler when I meet one.Now,what shall the profit be,money,jewelry?Name it we'll play it.” ”Yes,I see.I think we shall come to the decesion when I arrive.” ”Okay then D.What time and what place?” ”Friday the 12th,Jackie's,I expect you to be there no later than 10 p.m.I will see you later Mr.Phils.Goodbye.” He hung up before Jerry could say a word.It was odd,his voice went from welcoming and friendly to strong,stern and hostile in no time at all.

“Better hit the tables then Jerry,eh?” says Jackie interrupting Jerry while he was in deep thought.”Oh,oh yes I suppose I should.Jackie,look.I'm not sure if I would ever want to see this 'D.Ukavich' fellow again,let alone play billiards with 'em.” ”Jerr,there is no way that D. is a rotting,dying skeleton like you say he is.Think logiclly for a second now.”Jerry tried to think as clearly as one can,but every time he would try,the image of the man shot down all logic.Jerry knew what he saw,he didn't see anything logical,so what is the sense of trying to think logical then?”I gotta go,Jackie.I don't know where but I just gotta try to clear this mind of mine.” Jerry left the pub and climbed into his car.His car wasn't very special just an old jeep but she was a “hidden gem” to Jerry.Found her in a junk yard,still ran and no parts removed.He doesn't exactly know why she was there,he thought maybe a dealer couldn't sell her,so they just left her there to rust.”I need a place where nobody goes.” thought Jerry.He thought of just the place.There is an alley behind some vacant houses,surely no soul should be there.Jerry started up the enigine and drove until he found the alley.It could be hard to find it sometimes.It intersected the small neighbourhood and a large stretch and stores,shops and grocers.Jerry pulled into the alley.

~ ~ ~

No one was around.Jerry just started thinking then.He began thinking in almost a question- response platform.Things like “Jerry,did you really see what you saw?Yes of course I did.But are you sure?Well,possibly not.Possibly?look I saw what I saw.Yes but are you sure?”.This is a funny way to think,yet everyone does it.You already think what you think,what good is it doing asking?You already know.Jerry just carried on thinking when out from a fence comes a silouhette.”What would anybody be doing out here?” thought Jerry.This was reasonable thing to be thinking.The alley wasn't very appealing to the eye.It was just an old alley filled with trash,old photos,and animal bones.The silouhette had a leash with,what Jerry thought,a poorly fed dog tied to it.As the two figures walked closer to Jerry's car(hidden gem)they began to grow more character.The dog became excited because it noticed Jerry sitting in the jeep,unleashed itself by bitting off much of the leash and ran to his car.When it stepped up beside the car Jerry looked down and,to his suprise,the dog was nothing but dust and bones.Just as D. was,so was this dog.Breathing huff and puff without lungs to speak of.Just bones.Jerry nearly had a heart attack,He fired up the jeep and was out of that alley in no time.Pulling away from that place of insanity,he could hear a distant voice,almost a whisper from the distant he was at,screaming,“GET BACK HERE YOU IDIOTIC MUTT!”

Jerry was unsure of almost everything now.Was he insane?Was the dog just a conception of his now twisted mind?Were they really bones?Where should he even go?He drove around a bit and decided to go somewhere quiet and still.A library he decided.He pulled his old jeep into the parking lot.Sat there for a while and finnaly got the nerve to step out of the car.He walked into the door,letting a woman in first but that's besides the fact.Maybe he could find a book or something that could explain something to him about something.Jerry had no idea what was happening before him.He needed to know,but didn't know where to look or what to even look for.He hadn't been to this library in a very long time,but the receptionist still recognized him.”Jerry,is that you?” Jerry turned to the direction of where the voice was coming from.”It is you.Jerry,wow it's been a long time”.It was Mrs.Liberman,the receptionist from the times Jerry would come in during high school.”Mrs.Liberman,you still work here?” ”Sure do.Wow,it's been years Jerry since I've seen you.What's wrong,don't like reading these days?”

”Not much Mrs.L,do enough readin' for my carreer.Any more readin' might make my head explode” ”Actually Jerry,it pronounced 'reading'.See,since you stopped coming in here and getting books,you've let you're mind go to waste.And the mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

She said this playfully,she had always had that sense of humor.”Well,guess I did”.Jerry says with a small smile on his face.”Jerry,what's the matter?You've been sweating.” This was obvious.His clothes were soaking from sweat and his hair looked like it had been raining outside.”Oh,I've just been,you know,exercisin'.I mean exercsing.” ”Jerry,I know when you are lying.Why else would I know why you really never returned books?You could give every excuse and I could always tell when you were lying.Well,you never returned books because you were lazy,but that's besides the point.Now,why are you sweating?” ”Look Mrs.L,can we speak in private?” ”Yeah,sure.I'll get a temp to take over.Jenny!” ”Yes ma'am” says a small Indian girl from across the room.She sat at the desk while the two old friends walked into a room more private.Mrs.Libeman led Jerry down three hallways and two staircases.When they reached the end of the third hallway,Jerry saw a door.The door had a small plaque reading “Mrs.Liberman:Unavailable.” They enetered the room.

~ ~ ~

”What is it Jerry?” ”Well,Mrs.Liberman,I think that I am sick.” ”As in a cold or as in mentally?” ”Mental.I think I am mentally ill.” ”You do?Why?” ”Mrs.Liberman,you studied logic and philosophy,am I not mistaken?” ”No,you are not.” “Well then,what could be a logical explanation for me seeing a man who basically has a skull for a face and a dog that is made entirely out of bone?” ”Hmm,Jerry,how do you feel?” ”I feel well...blank,empty,scared.I feel incomplete and I don't know why.Like,as if someone is sucking the life out from my body.” ”Maybe it's that you feel these ways and your mind is creating scenarios that you can understand.A man with a skull for a face and skin on the rest of his body.This may represent how yes,you know you are alive but you don't feel it.” ”And the dog?”.”Yes,the dog represents how you feel alone and long for a friend that understands you.” ”So,you think I'm simply insane.” ”Insane is not the word.Damaged is the word.And your mind is coping with it the only way it can,by painting a way for you to physically see it so you know you aren't as alone as you feel.” “Well I suppose that makes sense.” “Of course it does.” “Do I need special help of any kind?” What was Jerry doing?He knew what he saw,yet he's blaming it on phycosis.

Phycosis is just an excuse to make absence of that which is super-natural(well according to Jerry anway)Take for instance you see a flying chicken.Odd,chickens don't normally fly.So,the first thing you think is,”I must be insane.” This is exactly what Jerry thought.It was a different way of thiking,I know,but that's just how Jerry was.But here he is buying into it.

“I can't think of a shrienk off the top of my head but what you can...oh wait,I know.Go to 156 Cherry St.Park off to the side and ask for a Dr.Kindler.He is a specialist of physciatric health.” “Alright,” Jerry says getting off the chair “thanks Mrs.L.” He exits the library after passing through the labrynth of doors,hallways and soda machines.Climbs into the car and is off on his way.He drove until he found Cherry St. and began looking for the address 156.Finnaly he sees it and raises his head from the curb to find a small,warm and friendly looking building with a banner that says,”DR.Kindler's Phyciatric Health Center.” It had now began to rain.He had been sitting outside the buliding for a half hour now.He wasn't very comfortable going into

such a place.Well,would you be comfortable being told you were a wacko?Jerry takes a deep breath,opens the car door and(as confidently as one can)enters the building.

The buliding wasn't much to compliment on.It was old,at least 50 years old.At least.The carpet was stained with coffee and other dark drinks.The magazined-stacked end tables were covered in dust and there was a single television broadcasting the local news.Hey walked up to the lady at the front desk and smiled and said,”Excuse me ma'am,is Dr.Kindler available?” “Sorry Mr...” “Phils,” Jerry answers.”Mr.Phils,he is with a patient right now.He will be finished in about an hour if you want to wait.” “Okay,Can I just have a seat over there?” Jerry asks pointing to a section of 12 seats.”Of course sir.” Jerry takes a seat next to three other patients waiting for services.He sat down and tried to make conversation with the others.He didn't want to ask why they were there.That's a thing an individual wants to keep silent.He did,on the other hand,ask who they were and how they were doing.After mingling around a bit,he sat back and relaxed his aching muscles.

”Do I know you?” one of the patients asked.”No,I don't think so.” Jerry answers.”Are you sure?I do know you.Harry.Harry from college.” “I'm sorry,I think you have me mistaken for someone else.” “No!” the woman responds with anguish in her voice “You're Harry,I know.Just tell me why you won't tell me who you are.”This woman was definetly bothering Jerry.This is a technique Dr.Kindler had created.He would expose patients to certain levels of stress played out through different scenarios.Mistaking someone for someone else,talking about a dead relative,and even trying to talk them into comitting crimes with the acrtors he hires to sit in the waiting room and tell people all this wild drivel

The plan had certainly worked.Jerry was now very tense and solicitous.Wouldn't you be?He was sitting in the chair trying to calm down by breathing heavily when a voice called his name.He turned to see a woman with a clip-board saying “Come on back,boy-o.”Jerry got up and moved to the door,shutting it behind him.He was guided down a straightway with walls covered by paintings and other forms of art.They stopped at a door with the doctors name on it.The woman opened the door and said “I'll be back for you in an hour.”Jerry entered the room to be greeted by Dr.Kindler.”Good to meet you Jerry.” “Good to meet you as well sir.” “Please,call me Ray.I think the title sir makes me seem more important than you.I'm just another human being like you Jerry.” A common physciatric practice;to make the patient feel like he has worth.”Oh,okay Ray.” “What brings you here this evening Jerry?” “Well,I have been seeing some hallucinations lately.The hallucination I see is a man.Well,half a man really considering half his face is a skeleton.The man has a dog;the dog is all bone.Just the frame works of the body walking and talking at hearing and breathing.” “Ukavich,ah,the ol' legend of Ukavich.” “Excuse me,Ukavich?” “Yes,it's an old legend of a man that is decaying and must steal life from others.Ukavich gets the life from the person he steals it from and the person who it was stolen from shrivels up and and becomes nothing but a skeleton.

“Odd,the man who I saw.I spoke to him on the phone.His name is Ukavich.” 'I see,your subconscience remembers hearing the story at one time and manafests itself into a visual to stimulate itself from a troubled mind.” “How do you know my mind is troubled?” “Well,for one,you look like you haven't had a good night's sleep in over a decade.You seem jittery,and I can hear your heart pounding from across the room.” Which was pretty remearkable because they were sitting at least 11 feet from each other.Dr.Kindler had a wonderful office.It was roomy and was furnished with deep,dark browns and tans to set a relaxing mood for the room.Dr.Kindler himself,well,wasn't much of a casanova.What little left of his hair was a electrifying white with rigid black streaks.His face was stricken with warts,wrinkles and blotches,and his structure was stump and lumpy.He was great at his practice though.He had been in a couple magazines and on the local news countless times with break-throughs in the phyciatric field.

“Well Ray,what should I do?” “I've dealt with many cases such as your's Jerry.Are you okay with medication?” “Yeah.” Jerry answered,which is strange because any other time Jerry would never take medication.This just shows how much he wanted this gone.”Good.I'll write you a prescription for a pill that'll take care of your hallucinations.” “How does it work?” “It relaxes some of the chemicals in your brain that cause hallucinations and mirages.” “Sounds good.” He wrote the prescription and told him to pick up the pills when ever he wants.Him and the doctor waved goodbye and Jerry was on his way home.

~ ~ ~

He picked up the pills on his way to his house put them into a paper bag.He went home and everything seemed to be going fine.He got in his bed,took a nap,and just relaxed for a while.This was good,Jerry had been needing some relaxation.Everything was alright with Jerry and he almost felt peaceful.

Even in a restful state,Jerry still had trouble decyfering if what he saw was in fact reality or just small piece of subconscience leaking out into visuals.Relaxation was good,yes,but it soon came to an end.Jerry drifted into a nap to be welcomed to a nightmare.He and Ukavich at Jackie's playing a game of 8 ball.The same situation playing out as the dream before.It seemed like Jerry's life and energy was being sucked out of his brittle,frail body.It was a viscous cycle.He would if you will gain his life back and lose more and more.The dream lasted what felt like hours but was a simple thirty minutes.Jerry awoke with his bedsheet soaking wet with sweat and tears of agony.The day is Thursday,the day before he and Ukavich would be playing their game.Jerry,however,didn't feel at all like playing or even looking at a pool table.

He had to play though.He had never seen Ukavich play.”He might be a terrific player.Wait,no,Ukavich wasn't real,or was he?” Jerry had trouble deciding.It was hard to tell.”It isn't at all practical but how could haveve Jackie talked to him on the phone if...” He was getting aggervated.He felt like throwing his arms,sreaming and shouting.He didn't know if he wanted to laugh hysterically or cry until tears couldn't come out anymore.”I'm losing my mind,I'm going insane.No!I'm normal.I swear I must be,I have to be normal.” He threw himself onto the ground screaming “I'm normal!!!”

By these very actions he was contradicting himself.I don't know of any normal people that throw themselves on the ground screaming they're normal.Nonetheless,he was shouting until his throat was dry.He finnaly stopped shouting,I guess he convinced himself he was okay?I have no idea.Pulling his shaking body off the floor,he began for the fridge to find something to to ease his throat.He opened the door to find the supplies were scarce,Amber was out at the market picking up food and other necessities.”Maybe,maybe I'm not insane.Who's to say that stories invented to keep children from sleeping can't be true?They could be as real as anything really.Who's to say I,Jerry Phils has found this Ukavich who is designed to scare children at night?Who's to say?” He was speaking with great confidence.In fact,his arms were stretched as far as Jerry could strech them.At this moment he decided to stop taking the pills Kindler had prescribed.He decided(with all confidence)that Ukavich was real.”After all,who makes up stories if there isn't a hint of truth behind them.” Jerry thought to himself.Jerry was tired.His mind had been being tortured by itself for an entire day now.It didn't know what to think of itself,and the image of Ukavich was still burning vibrantly with his thoughts.After shouting out about how he was perfectly normal and all that jazz,Jerry sat on a chair with a bottle of soda and his hand and contiplated on his long,long day.He got sick of it,all the fear and mood-swings.So,he decided to visit the Church he went to as a child and young adult.Jerry wasn't an old sinner to say,he just thought no one would want a dirty old gambler in their congregation.Jerry got into his car(hidden gem)and drove off to find the Church.

It had been so long he kind of forgot where it was.After much thinking and reasoning he found a small white building with a wide-opened front lawn and a sign that read “Welcome To The County Baptist Church.”It was still Thursday so there wasn't any service,Jerry just wanted to speak to the pastor.Jerry,opened the car door,said a short prayer,and entered the Church.

~ ~ ~

The receptionist was out sick,so Jerry had to find the pastor himself.Jerry walked,passing through doorways,walking down steps,and walking through the doorways again.Finally he walked into what seemed to be a break room of sorts.He saw Pastor Brown,the same pastor that was their when Jerry was a child.”Pastor Brown?” “Yes,Iam.Do you mind me asking who you are son?” “My name is Jerry Phils.Son of Frank and Harriot Phils.” “Jerry!” the pastor exclaims reaching for a friendly hug.”It seems like it has been forever since I have seen you,son?” Saying things like “son” and “boy” and even “lad” was expectable.Pastor Brown spoke with a very thick Irish accent.”I'm alright,well,actually no I'm not.”

“What's the problem lad?” “You see,I think I'm hallucinating,but I am not sure.” “I see and what are you hallucinatin' 'bout?” “It's a man.His name is Ukavich.He has half a face of skin and half a face of bone.He has a dog that is pure skeleton and I saw him twice and spoke to him on the phone once.” “Aiy,I have heard the bold tale of Ukavich.maybe it's just..”Jerry interrupted by saying “Is there any chance that I'm being punished?Is this God saying 'You messed up Jerry!' Has God stricken me with illusions,or maybe really a Ukavich who wants to kill me?” “Now Jerry,never think that way.God isn't up in Heaven waiting on the next person to smite.He is patient and He would never do a thing like that.” “Well,maybe Ukavich is a demon of some kind or something or,...I don't know.” “Jerry,I think you need rest.Go home,get some shut eye,that is what I think you need.” “Thank you Pastor Brown.” “Any time chap.” Jerry was lost,confused,and needed answers but didn't know where to look.He just got into his car and closed his eyes for five seconds.Within those short five seconnds Jerry fell fast asleep.

No dream this time,his mind may not have been able to handle it.Just the kind of sleep that feels like a minute of your eyes being shut but the sun is up when you open them.It was Friday.The day him and his nemisis were scheduled to play a game of pool.Jerry had no other thought than “I gotta play Ukavich.” It wasn't in a,oh golly I need to get going.No,it was in a more mechanical way.Like he was just ready to get the thing over with.Half of him said he was in danger while the other half said that he would be proved Ukavich was nothing but left over baggage in the subconsciene.He drove to Little Jackie's ready to battle.The weapons,two pool ques.The reason,for respect,money,or even life itself.Ukavich wanted to gamble.Maybe he had a plan to gamble with Jerry life and youth.

~ ~ ~

“Jerry,how are ya man?”asked Jackie from behind the bar.”Been better.” Jerry answers rubbing his eyes with his jacket.”You got any practice in yet?” “No,I haven't,where is Ukavich anyway?” “On his way he will be...” Jackie stopped when they heard the door open.There,in the doorway stood a black,lifeless figure.It needed life.Like feed,it needed life.But who would be the supplier.”I understand I have a game today.” said Ukavich looking Jerry straight in the eye.”Yes sir ya do.His name is Jerry and he is gonna take you down.” “Jackie,shut your mouth!Hi,it's nice to meet you Ukavich.”No response.He was still at the doorway,so conversation was a bit odd from such distance.However,Ukavich started walking closer.Close enough for his face to be seen it it weren't for the hat.He removes the hat to,in blind daylight,reveal a full skull.No skin whatsoever.No parts,just black empty holes.Jackie fell to the floor.He ran away screaming and exited through the back door.”So what I have seen is no hallucination is it?” “No Jerry,it isn't.What you see is me,Ukavich.The stories are true.I steal the youth from those who have.I am the small voice in the night screaming for life.I am the helpless shadow,begging for form.Only to wander the city in search for life.”

"Well,why me?Why did you pick me?” “Good question Jerry.I'll answer it with a story.There once was a man who spent his life enslaved to the bitter-sweet art of gambling.Bitter-sweet isn't she?He had a lovely life.Had a lovely wife and a lovely house.But to him,these things were but little things in life.He considered big things in life to be money and stealing from others.He spent his life this way so long that eventually it was little of a life at all.He was just wasting it really.All the things he had,but that one would withdraw a game of billiards every-now-and-again?Oh,let it not be.”

“So,you are going to steal my life because I'm not using it properly?No warning?Nothing?” “No Jerry,this is a warning.A warning to the next gambler who forgets how much of his life he has wasted on people he doesn't even like and dirty games of pool.Yes,your story will be a reminder to those who see life half of what it should be.So,Jerry.What do you say,a game of pool shall we?And we will gamble with,ah yes,your life and youth.” “No!No!Stop it!” Jerry was shouting,reaching for the door.Ukavich touches it and it withers away with the wind.”Jerry,we will be playing.Do you understand?” Jerry shook his head whiping the tears from his eyes.

They rack the balls.It was agreed that if Jerry lost,he would lose his youth and life.If he won though,Ukavich would leave and never bother him again.They had also decided to play 8 ball.Jerry breaks.He makes the 4 and the 1.Jerry is solids,Ukavich is stripes.Jerry goes for the 5 ball of into the corner pocket but misses and gives the play to Ukavich.This is a very intense game.Jerry was sweating all over his sport jacket.Not very professional,but can you blame him?Ukavich makes in the 9 ball,the 11 ball,and the 13 ball.Jerry is too shaky to play well.The game continued until Jerry had the 3 ball and the 5 ball left and Ukavich only had the 14 ball left.Well,and of course the 8 ball.Jerry's shot.He goes for the 5 and sinks it.He's good.He's feeling good.Goes for the 3 and misses.It was at that moment that Jerry realized that Ukavich was winning this game.Jerry somehow knew that Ukavich was going to beat him.It was a sad feeling.The kind where a sad song would play in a movie.Ukavich makes his last ball and is left with the 8 ball.He shoots it clean into the side pocket.The game is over.Ukavich won.

“Now to carry out the deal we made.Jerry,I am going to place my hand on you and you will just wither into dust.You know that,right?” “Jerry shook his head yes.”I understand.I understand Ukavich.” Jerry says with dread and despair in his voice."Alright here it goes." Ukavich places his hand on Jerry and Jerry turns into a pile of dust.He's nothing but a clean sweep for a broom.I think Jerry realized that.I think he saw that his life was consumed by the filthy games and the dirty money that paid rent.I think Jerry understood that he was only as happy as one can be while living a broken life.And that isn't very joyus at all.With a brand new face and life flowing through his veins,Ukavich stared at the ashes.He felt sorry really.But he knew that the message was too strong to be avoided.Jackie still keeps Jerry's story up in a frame and he sometimes make gamblers read it.It helps too.Ukavich swept up the ashes and put in a jar that said “R.I.P Jerry Phils.”He left it on a shelf and walked out the door saying “Now about my dog.”