past the parlour · the gentlemen's room

the billiard room

one ball at rest in the corner pocket. whoever sank it lost the game by sinking it, and stopped playing, and was never seen here again.

the cue is across the felt where it was set down. the light over the table is on a long brass chain; it sways when nothing is moving. you may listen for the footsteps of the next player. you will be listening for a while.