So there I was, in a bustling pool hall somewhere between St. Louis and El Paso, with nothing on my mind but that mysterious girl across the table from me.  The Germans had cornered me into a game, with stakes that I had no means of paying should fate deal me a defeat.  I had no intentions of losing the game, so I wasn't worried about whatever internal organs the Nazi bastards would snatch out of me when they discovered I had no money and no booze.  My only worry was not to make eye contact with the lurid temptress in the black dress, who most certainly had intentions of the devious sort.  Her connection to the Germans was obvious; exchanging quick, knowing glances while they think no one is looking.  But what did she want with me?
    Before I found the horrible answer to my question, it was my turn to take the table, and take the table I did.  I bent over to shoot, and as I did so, I could feel the Germans and the siren-lady about to pounce.  This was my last chance.  I pulled the cue way back, then smashed it forward, straight into the right eye of the littlest German.  "Stay back!" I said, "Or  I'll impale every last one of you!"  With a shriek I jumped off the table and made for the door.  Now I don't know if they laid a trap or if it was all in my racing mind, but right at the threshold of the door I tripped over something unseen, and took quite a nasty fall down the wooden, rat-infested steps of that pool hall, landing at the bottom in a heap of confusion and exhilaration.  But I could no longer walk, much less run away from the girl and that crack-German squad.
    I hid the rest of the night in a garbage can under the steps, waiting for the enemy to pounce from a dark corner at any minute.  But it never came.  And with a growling stomach and a lame leg, I crawled back to civilization.  That is why I am hobbling around on crutches today.

THE END