Doctor Ulceby Cross & The Snooker Ball

Among the Professor's collection of old cricket balls, mostly signed by obscure county cricketers, there is a single snooker ball. My curiosity was piqued and I questioned the Professor on its provenance. 

“Ah yes, that was a parting gift from an old colleague of mine, Doctor Ulceby Cross. I paid him a visit just before he left for pastures new and he threw that very ball at me while calling out in that playful, bantering way of his, ‘Get lost, you pompous windbag.’ 

He had a reputation of being somewhat standoffish and irritable, but I knew him better than that. For instance, he frequently carried a snooker cue as he went about his daily business and is said to have used it to keep people at arm's, or rather, at cue's length. But, in fact, he was simply expecting to be challenged to a frame or two at short notice. Although, I confess that I can't recall that ever happening.

I believe that his air of unfriendliness can be put down to his continual and profound contemplation of the nature of time and the paradox of change and stasis. It was such thoughts that were demonstrated by the sign on his house which read ‘Garage in Constant Use’, despite the fact that he did not actually have a garage. So deep in thought was he that he neglected to leave a forwarding address with me or with any of his colleagues or, indeed, his multitude of creditors.”