Robert withdrew his gaze and rubbed his eyes with some discomfort. The bar lights were so harsh that now his vision was blurred with colorful streaks. Noticing the sunglasses on the man next to him—a bulky Black guy with tattoos running down his arms—Robert reached out and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey brother, interested in selling those sunglasses?"
"Hey man, don't start anything..."
The guy looked ready to square up until he got a good look at Robert's face. His expression changed instantly.
"Father? Is that you? Why are you here?"
Robert blinked, confused, until the man removed his sunglasses. Recognition dawned. It was the same churchgoer he met earlier, though back then the man had been in a coat and looked like your average devoted believer—not a nightclub bruiser.
Sliding smoothly into his priest persona, Robert offered a gentle smile. "Of course, my child. Every soul that believes in the Lord remains etched in my heart."
The lights above cast a shimmering glow over him. The guy clasped his hands reverently, nodding like Robert had descended from the heavens.
"Father, you're a great man."
Robert: "..."
Totally normal behavior in a church. But in a bar? Yeah, not so much.
"Since we're friends, I'll be direct: I really need those sunglasses."
"They're yours, Father. Anything else you want? Drinks on me."
"Well, if you insist... I'll have your largest glass of whiskey."
Robert took the sunglasses and slipped them on as he ordered.
The bartender, clearly fed up, muttered under his breath: "Damn priests. Damn church folk. If the whole clergy's like this, we're doomed."
Soon, Robert spotted her.
Across the entertainment area, Lorna was playing pool with a cocky blond guy. As Robert got closer, he noticed the guy's soul had the stench of rot—a sure sign of something wicked.
After a brief goodbye to his church-going friend, Robert headed toward the pool table.
"Crack!"
Lorna struck the cue ball sharply, sending it flying across the table. It tapped a solid, which rolled toward the corner pocket but veered slightly.
Then, with a flash of subtle green at her fingertips, the ball corrected its path mid-roll and sank cleanly into the pocket.
"You lost," Lorna said casually. "Five hundred dollars."
The blond guy stared in disbelief. "That ball turned by itself!"
"Welcome to 2025," Robert interjected as he strolled over. "Bullets curve. Why not billiard balls?"
Lorna's jaw slackened. Robert was wearing a black priest robe and oversized sunglasses, swaying slightly with the bar's thumping bass, holding a whiskey glass as big as his face.
"You?! What are you doing here?"
"Can't you tell? I'm here to exorcise demons."
He took a massive sip from his whiskey, face flushing before his healing ability purged the alcohol.
The blond guy looked suspicious but soon dismissed Robert as a nut in costume.
"This guy your friend?" he asked Lorna.
"Never seen him in my life," she replied immediately.
Robert grinned. "Coincidence, really. I sensed a demonic presence in the area—couldn't ignore the stench. Had to investigate."
Lorna was starting to panic.
"Exorcism's part of our church's core curriculum," Robert added, dead serious. "I even aced the advanced course."
The blond guy snorted. "And what? You're exorcising with whiskey now? I don't even see a cross."
"You underestimate me. I wield the most ancient of blessings. Plus," he lifted his whiskey, "this is holy water."
Lorna facepalmed.
"What are you two playing? Let me join."
"Snooker. Five hundred a game. You in?" the blond asked.
Robert shook his head. "Too low. Make it two thousand."
"You're on."
The blond man turned to Lorna. "I'll pay you your five hundred after this. Won't take long."
"Be quick," she said, glancing at the wall clock.
"You don't twist pool balls too, right, Father?"
"Our church doesn't teach that," Robert replied solemnly.
"Good. Let's play."
The blond took the first shot, scattering the balls expertly.
Robert finished his drink, picked up the cue, and slowly leaned over the table.
Bullet time activated.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The cue ball ricocheted like a pinball. One by one, balls disappeared into pockets. When the cue ball finally stopped, only a few remained.
The blond stared in stunned silence.
Lorna was speechless.
Robert cracked his knuckles. "What? Our church doesn't teach this, but I had a calling."
The blond swallowed hard. "I think I need to convert."
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