Eddie "Fast Eddy" Felson, a former pool player forced into retirement by gangsters (as seen in "The Hustler",) finds himself, self-respect, and finally, redemption when he enters a relationship with young pool player Tom Cruise very similar to his own early career. As they travel together, Fast Eddy realizes how much he had lost, and can see the inevitable finale of their relationship as history begins to repeat itself. In an effort to avert tragedy, Eddy severs their relationship, and returns to his first love, pool. Finally, in a big Atlantic City tournament, Cruise returns the favor, and teaches Eddy the final lesson that allows him to finish his quest of re-discovery.

The voice explaining 9-ball is director Martin Scorsese's.

Eddie Felson:
Vincent, get in the car, this is embarrassing. You're acting like some girl who got felt up at the drive-in.

Continuity: After playing Vincent, Eddie disassembles his cue stick twice.

Words by Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder
Music by Bert Kaempfert