Slow Death & the "money ball."

Every town has one, a place that means more to the community than anything..A place where kids can be kids..Where they can forget about all their problems and just have fun..Mayfield had that place and it was called  "Grouby's". Grouby's was named after the late Donald Grouby. Mr. Grouby worked hard his whole life and when he decided to retire, he built a "pool hall" for kids..Little did Mr. Grouby realize that it would turn into the "gaming" mecca of Mayfield High..

"When are you going to learn Yoder? I can whip your ass anytime!" Joe Liker yelled. Liker and Garren Yoder had just played a 9-ball set and Liker won 3-0. "Where is my money" Liker yelled. Yoder handed over a crisp $20 dollar bill to Liker and told him that he had to leave.."What's the matter Yoder don't you have any balls, let's go again or are you scared?" Liker replied..Joe Liker was not the brightest guy in Mayfield, but he was fearless, often too his detriment. "I tell you what Liker, if your so good, why don't we play again for $100 dollars." Yoder quipped.."Let me see the money" Liker replied..Yoder flashed a crisp $100 dollar bill in Liker's face.."Loser's rack." was Liker's response.

Some one yelled "Yoder & Liker are playing for a $100 bucks" and the next thing you know everyone was watching.. The object of 9-ball is to work your way through the first 8 balls and then make the 9-ball (9-ball is the money shot). I can still remember it to this day, Yoder & Liker were tied 2 games a piece, and Yoder was taking a difficult bank shot on the 9-ball for the win..You could hear a pin drop as Yoder took the last shot.."Crack" Yoder hit a solid but soft shot off the far rail and it was heading for it's destination..He had hit the shot very softly in order to control the cue ball..I thought he had no chance, but the 9-ball just kept creeping&creeping toward the intended pocket.

When the ball stopped at the cusp of the pocket, everyone in the crowd let out a big "sigh' of disappointment..They  thought he had missed. Yoder then yelled "Slow Death, Slow Death" at the top of his lungs and "some how", "some way", the 9-ball found a little bit of extra energy and fell into the pocket." Liker threw the $100 on the table and Yoder snatched it..After that moment, Garren Yoder made it a habit of yelling "Slow Death" every time he would sink the "money-ball."  :)