Free pool with special rules

"There were always deals for women -- half price drinks, free food, free pool, and so on. Really anything to get more women in here." Nate smiled.

Abbie glanced across the room. In a dimly lit corner, there was a pool table. She didn't really know how to play, but she had a vague sense of the game.

"Free pool, huh?" she asked.

"Yeah." Nate paused. "I mean, yeah it could totally be free. But there were usually some other rules in play."

"Like what?"

Nate cut to the chase. "Basically it was like strip pool. Guys versus girls."

Abbie smiled. "And the girls always lost?"

Nate laughed. "Yup. Every time. I thought eventually some chick would come in here and kick ass, but it never seemed to happen."

Just then, a man from a nearby table made his way up to the front. He eyed Abbie on the bar, and then spoke to Nate. "Can I get a few Buds, please? Three."

Nate nodded. "One minute, Abbie." He ducked down to get the beers from the cooler.

The man looked over at Abbie. "Hey."

"Hey," she smiled.

"So ... what are you doing here?"

She looked at him like he was from another planet. "I'm getting a drink. What are you doing here?"

He laughed. "No, I just mean ... this place is dead. You're obviously not a regular or anything."

She smiled. "I just came in for a drink. And I'm chatting with Nate." Nate had re-emerged with three bottles.

"Here you go, Clark."

Abbie looked at Clark. He was tall, lean, and blonde. "I'm Abbie. Nice to meet you. Nate and I were just about to go play pool. Want to join us?"

Clark looked back at his table, then back at Abbie. "I'm here with some friends, Can we all play?"

"Sure! The more the merrier," smiled Abbie. Clark walked halfway back to his table and gestured to his friends, who joined him at the bar.

"This is Brad and Wayne. Guys, this is Abbie."

"We're going to play pool!" said Abbie.