Fats asks Eddie, "Is your name Felson? Eddie Felson? I hear you've been looking for me?" After a few moments and some other dialogue Fats says to Eddie, "Now I know why they call you Fast Eddie". No where does Eddie ever say his name is "Fast Eddie" to Fats. Either that is an error or Fats has heard Eddie's nickname through the grapevine.
shareGrapevine. The match between Eddie and Fats was a replication of 'the fastest gun in the west'. Top man always hears about pretenders to his throne.
shareFirst of all, "Now I know why they call you Fast Eddie." is not a question. It's a statement. Obviously, his reputation as Fast Eddie has preceded his meeting with Fats and that's why Fats refers to the nickname Felson has acquired in the pool-playing community. Lastly, what do you mean by "no wear"?
shareBelieve me a real hustler's reputation gets around and precedes him wherever he goes in the pool playing world. And they're not hard to spot.
Like Michael Constantine says to Eddie in the opening scene he won't play anybody who walks in with a cue satchel. Fats knew all about Eddie's reputation and his nickname.
When I was overseas in the Air Force a long time ago, new guys were always flying in from the states. I was on the flight line one day visiting a buddy, when a little guy with a duffle bag and a cue satchel got off a plane. Within the hour, everybody in the Airman's Club pool room knew a probable shark had arrived.
When he showed up at the Airman's Club the next day with his own cue he had a hard time getting anybody to play him for money. A few who tried ended up regretting it. It was fun to challenge him, but not with money at stake. He was the best pool player I've ever seen - before or since. He enjoyed doing exhibitions and showing off his phenomenal skill. Great fun to watch.
God's Holy Trousers!!