November (1995) (continued): As you’ll recall from last week’s exciting episode, I barely managed to get on a British Airways flight to London after my KLM flight to Amsterdam was canceled in Los Angeles.
Upon arriving at London’s Heathrow Airport, I had five hours to kill before my connecting flight to Barcelona, Spain. I went to B.A.’s World Club Lounge and noticed a sign that said, “Showers.”
In my experience, 11 hours on an airplane make a shower seem quite inviting. Plus, it would help kill some time. (I am infamous for taking long showers.)
The showers were up set up a la cabañas, each with an outer dressing area that connects to private shower.
It was very nice. Felt luxurious. Decadent.
And, of course, it made me think of that scene from that movie.
The scene I always think of when I’m on an airline and I go to the restroom and wash my face and, sometimes, even brush my teeth.
Remember THE HUSTLER? Paul Newman has spent 24 hours beating Jackie Gleason at billiards. It’s the game of his life, and Newman can’t be beat.
They take a brief break. Gleason goes over to a wash basin, carefully washes his face & hands, combs his hair, turns back to Newman and says, “Alright, Fast Eddie, let’s play some pool.”
As I exited my private shower cabaña I muttered to no one in particular, “Alright, fast Eddie, let’s play some pool!”
(This led to my being detained by airport security for the next few hours, but that’s not really the point of this story.)
I couldn’t find a clip of that scene, but here’s the moment the two characters first meet…
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Of course don’t forget George C. Scott’s explanation to Paul Newman about what happened when Jackie Gleason came back and kicked his ass from washing up. It’s a great show prep metaphor.