Bert Gordon : You're here on a rain check and I know it. You're hangin' on by your nails. You let that glory whistle blow loud and clear for Eddie and you're a wreck on a railroad track... you're a horse that finished last. So don't make trouble, Miss Ladybird. Live and let live! While you can. I'll make it up to you. Sarah Packard : How? Bert Gordon : You tell me.

Fast Eddie : You saw me beat Minnesota Fats for eighteen thousand dollars. Bert Gordon : Look, you wanna hustle pool, don't you? This game isn't like football. Nobody pays you for yardage. When you hustle you keep score real simple. The end of the game you count up your money. That's how you find out who's best. That's the only way.

Fast Eddie : What if I don't pay ya, Bert? Bert Gordon : [laughs]  You don't pay me? You're gonna get your thumbs broken again. And your fingers. If I want 'em to, they're gonna break your right arm in three or four places. Minnesota Fats : You better pay him, Eddie. Fast Eddie : So you figure you're still my manager, huh? Bert Gordon : I'm a business-man, kid.

Bert Gordon : How's your hand? Fast Eddie : Fine. Bert Gordon : Good. I'd hate to think I was puttin' my money on a cripple. Fast Eddie : Hey, whaddaya say somethin' like that for? Sarah Packard : It's alright, Eddie. I'm sure Mr. Gordon meant no offense. It was a figure of speech. Bert Gordon : That's right, Miss Packard. Sarah Packard : And a fact is a fact. Bert Gordon : Smart girl, Eddie.

Bert Gordon : I don't think there's a pool player alive shoots better pool than I saw you shoot the other night at Ames. You got talent. Fast Eddie : So I got talent. So what beat me? Bert Gordon : Character.

Bert Gordon : [to Eddie]  You owe me MONEY.

Fast Eddie : I'm the best you ever seen, Fats. I'm the best there is. And even if you beat me, I'm still the best. Bert Gordon : Stay with this kid; he's a LOSER.

Bert Gordon : Eddie, is it alright if I get personal? Fast Eddie : Whaddaya been so far? Bert Gordon : Eddie, you're a born loser. Fast Eddie : What's that supposed to mean? Bert Gordon : First time in ten years I ever saw Minnesota Fats hooked... really hooked. But you let him off. Fast Eddie : I told you I got drunk. Bert Gordon : Sure you got drunk. You have the best excuse in the world for losing; no trouble losing when you got a good excuse. Winning... that can be heavy on your back, too, like a monkey. You'll drop that load too when you got an excuse. All you gotta do is learn to feel sorry for yourself. One of the best indoor sports, feeling sorry for yourself. A sport enjoyed by all, especially the born losers. Fast Eddie : Thanks for the drink.